Encoder, decoder, encoding method, and decoding method

ABSTRACT

An encoder includes circuitry and memory coupled to the circuitry. In operation, the circuitry: derives a motion vector of a current block by referring to at least one reference picture different from a picture to which the current block belongs; performs a mode for estimating, for each sub-block unit of sub-blocks obtained by splitting the current block, a surrounding region of the motion vector to correct the motion vector; determines whether to apply deblocking filtering to each of boundaries between neighboring ones of the sub-blocks; and applies the deblocking filtering to the boundary, based on a result of the determination.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. continuation application of PCT InternationalPatent Application Number PCT/JP2020/004532 filed on Feb. 6, 2020,claiming the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/802,964 filed on Feb. 8, 2019, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

This disclosure relates to video coding, and particularly to imageencoding and decoding systems, components, and methods, etc.

2. Description of the Related Art

With advancement in video coding technology, from H.261 and MPEG-1 toH.264/AVC (Advanced Video Coding), MPEG-LA, H.265/HEVC (High EfficiencyVideo Coding) and H.266/VVC (Versatile Video Codec), there remains aconstant need to provide improvements and optimizations to the videocoding technology to process an ever-increasing amount of digital videodata in various applications.

SUMMARY

An encoder according to one aspect of the present disclosure is anencoder that encodes an image and includes circuitry and memory coupledto the circuitry. In operation, the circuitry: derives a motion vectorof a current block by referring to at least one reference picturedifferent from a picture to which the current block belongs; performs amode for estimating, for each sub-block unit of sub-blocks obtained bysplitting the current block, a surrounding region of the motion vectorto correct the motion vector; determines whether to apply deblockingfiltering to each of boundaries between neighboring ones of thesub-blocks; and applies the deblocking filtering to the boundary, basedon a result of the determination.

A decoder according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a decoderthat decodes an image and includes circuitry and memory coupled to thecircuitry. In operation, the circuitry: derives a motion vector of acurrent block by referring to at least one reference picture differentfrom a picture to which the current block belongs; performs a mode forestimating, for each sub-block unit of sub-blocks obtained by splittingthe current block, a surrounding region of the motion vector to correctthe motion vector; determines whether to apply deblocking filtering toeach of boundaries between neighboring ones of the sub-blocks; andapplies the deblocking filtering to the boundary, based on a result ofthe determination.

Some implementations of an embodiment of the present disclosure mayimprove an encoding efficiency, may simplify an encoding/decodingprocess, may accelerate an encoding/decoding process speed, mayefficiently select appropriate components/operations used in encodingand decoding such as appropriate filter, block size, motion vector,reference picture, reference block, etc.

Additional benefits and advantages of one aspect of the presentdisclosure will become apparent from the specification and drawings. Thebenefits and/or advantages may be individually obtained by the variousembodiments and features of the specification and drawings, not all ofwhich need to be provided in order to obtain one or more of suchbenefits and/or advantages.

It should be noted that general or specific aspects may be implementedas a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, astorage medium, or any selective combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other objects, advantages and features of the disclosure willbecome apparent from the following description thereof taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings that illustrate a specificembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an encoderaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart indicating one example of an overall encodingprocess performed by the encoder;

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating one example of blocksplitting;

FIG. 4A is a conceptual diagram illustrating one example of a sliceconfiguration;

FIG. 4B is a conceptual diagram illustrating one example of a tileconfiguration;

FIG. 5A is a chart indicating transform basis functions for varioustransform types;

FIG. 5B is a conceptual diagram illustrating one example of spatiallyvarying transforms (SVT);

FIG. 6A is a conceptual diagram illustrating one example of a filtershape used in an adaptive loop filter (ALF);

FIG. 6B is a conceptual diagram illustrating another example of a filtershape used in an ALF;

FIG. 6C is a conceptual diagram illustrating another example of a filtershape used in an ALF;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram indicating one example of a specificconfiguration of a loop filter which functions as a deblocking filter(DBF);

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram indicating an example of a deblockingfilter having a symmetrical filtering characteristic with respect to ablock boundary;

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating a block boundary onwhich a deblocking filter process is performed;

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram indicating examples of Bs values;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a process performedby a prediction processor of the encoder;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating another example of a processperformed by the prediction processor of the encoder;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating another example of a processperformed by the prediction processor of the encoder;

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram illustrating sixty-seven intraprediction modes used in intra prediction in the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating an example basic processing flow ofinter prediction;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating one example of derivation of motionvectors;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating another example of derivation ofmotion vectors;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating another example of derivation ofmotion vectors;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating an example of inter prediction innormal inter mode;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating an example of inter prediction inmerge mode;

FIG. 21 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example of a motionvector derivation process in merge mode;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart illustrating one example of frame rate upconversion (FRUC) process;

FIG. 23 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example of patternmatching (bilateral matching) between two blocks along a motiontrajectory;

FIG. 24 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example of patternmatching (template matching) between a template in a current picture anda block in a reference picture;

FIG. 25A is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example ofderiving a motion vector of each sub-block based on motion vectors of aplurality of neighboring blocks;

FIG. 25B is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example ofderiving a motion vector of each sub-block in affine mode in which threecontrol points are used;

FIG. 26A is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an affine merge mode;

FIG. 26B is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an affine merge modein which two control points are used;

FIG. 26C is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an affine merge modein which three control points are used;

FIG. 27 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a process in affinemerge mode;

FIG. 28A is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an affine inter modein which two control points are used;

FIG. 28B is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an affine inter modein which three control points are used;

FIG. 29 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a process in affineinter mode;

FIG. 30A is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an affine inter modein which a current block has three control points and a neighboringblock has two control points;

FIG. 30B is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an affine inter modein which a current block has two control points and a neighboring blockhas three control points;

FIG. 31A is a flow chart illustrating a merge mode process includingdecoder motion vector refinement (DMVR);

FIG. 31B is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example of a DMVRprocess;

FIG. 32 is a flow chart illustrating one example of generation of aprediction image;

FIG. 33 is a flow chart illustrating another example of generation of aprediction image;

FIG. 34 is a flow chart illustrating another example of generation of aprediction image;

FIG. 35 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a prediction imagecorrection process performed by an overlapped block motion compensation(OBMC) process;

FIG. 36 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example of aprediction image correction process performed by an OBMC process;

FIG. 37 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating generation of twotriangular prediction images;

FIG. 38 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating a model assuminguniform linear motion;

FIG. 39 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example of aprediction image generation method using a luminance correction processperformed by a local illumination compensation (LIC) process;

FIG. 40 is a block diagram illustrating a mounting example of theencoder;

FIG. 41 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a decoderaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 42 is a flow chart illustrating one example of an overall decodingprocess performed by the decoder;

FIG. 43 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a process performedby a prediction processor of the decoder;

FIG. 44 is a flow chart illustrating another example of a processperformed by the prediction processor of the decoder;

FIG. 45 is a flow chart illustrating an example of inter prediction innormal inter mode in the decoder;

FIG. 46 is a block diagram illustrating a mounting example of thedecoder;

FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating an example of motion estimation on adecoder side in the DMVR;

FIG. 48A is a diagram illustrating an example of an estimation algorithmin the motion estimation on the decoder side in the DMVR;

FIG. 48B is a diagram illustrating an example of the estimationalgorithm in the motion estimation on the decoder side in the DMVR;

FIG. 48C is a diagram illustrating an example of the estimationalgorithm in the motion estimation on the decoder side in the DMVR;

FIG. 49 is an explanatory diagram illustrating DMVR for each sub-blockunit according to a first aspect;

FIG. 50 is a flow chart illustrating deblocking filtering performed byeach of an encoder and a decoder in the first aspect;

FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating one example of conditions for applyingdeblocking filtering to a sub-block boundary in the first aspect;

FIG. 52 is a flow chart illustrating deblocking filtering performed byeach of the encoder and the decoder in the first aspect;

FIG. 53 is a diagram illustrating one example of corrected MVs ofneighboring sub-blocks and reference blocks in the flow chart of FIG. 52;

FIG. 54 is a block diagram illustrating a mounting example of an encoderaccording to the embodiment;

FIG. 55 is a flow chart illustrating an operation example of the encodershown by FIG. 54 ;

FIG. 56 is a block diagram illustrating a mounting example of a decoderaccording to the embodiment;

FIG. 57 is a flow chart illustrating an operation example of the decodershown by FIG. 56 ;

FIG. 58 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of acontent providing system for implementing a content distributionservice;

FIG. 59 is a conceptual diagram illustrating one example of an encodingstructure in scalable encoding;

FIG. 60 is a conceptual diagram illustrating one example of an encodingstructure in scalable encoding;

FIG. 61 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a displayscreen of a web page;

FIG. 62 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a displayscreen of a web page;

FIG. 63 is a block diagram illustrating one example of a smartphone; and

FIG. 64 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration ofa smartphone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

For example, an encoder according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure is an encoder that encodes an image and includes circuitryand memory coupled to the circuitry. In operation, the circuitry:derives a motion vector of a current block by referring to at least onereference picture different from a picture to which the current blockbelongs; performs a mode for estimating, for each sub-block unit ofsub-blocks obtained by splitting the current block, a surrounding regionof the motion vector to correct the motion vector; determines whether toapply deblocking filtering to each of boundaries between neighboringones of the sub-blocks; and applies the deblocking filtering to theboundary, based on a result of the determination.

With this, even when distortion that causes discontinuous pixel valuesoccurs on a sub-block boundary, the encoder has the possibility ofreducing the distortion by performing the deblocking filtering, and hasthe possibility of improving image quality.

Moreover, for example, the mode is dynamic motion vector refreshing(DMVR) performed for the sub-block unit.

Furthermore, for example, each of the sub-blocks in the sub-block unithas a size of 16×16 pixels.

Moreover, the circuitry determines a strength of the deblockingfiltering, based on whether a difference value between motion vectors ofthe neighboring ones of the sub-blocks is greater than or equal to athreshold value.

Furthermore, for example, the strength of the deblocking filtering to bedetermined includes a strength indicating not to perform the deblockingfiltering.

Moreover, for example, when the circuitry applies the deblockingfiltering to the boundary, a strength of the deblocking filteringapplied to the boundary is the same as a strength of deblockingfiltering applied to a block boundary of the current block.

For example, a decoder according to one aspect of the present disclosureis a decoder that decodes an image and includes circuitry and memorycoupled to the circuitry. In operation, the circuitry: derives a motionvector of a current block by referring to at least one reference picturedifferent from a picture to which the current block belongs; performs amode for estimating, for each sub-block unit of sub-blocks obtained bysplitting the current block, a surrounding region of the motion vectorto correct the motion vector; determines whether to apply deblockingfiltering to each of boundaries between neighboring ones of thesub-blocks; and applies the deblocking filtering to the boundary, basedon a result of the determination.

With this, even when distortion that causes discontinuous pixel valuesoccurs on a sub-block boundary, the decoder has the possibility ofreducing the distortion by performing the deblocking filtering, and hasthe possibility of improving image quality.

Moreover, for example, the mode is dynamic motion vector refreshing(DMVR) performed for the sub-block unit.

Furthermore, for example, each of the sub-blocks in the sub-block unithas a size of 16×16 pixels.

Moreover, the circuitry determines a strength of the deblockingfiltering, based on whether a difference value between motion vectors ofthe neighboring ones of the sub-blocks is greater than or equal to athreshold value.

Furthermore, for example, the strength of the deblocking filteringincludes a strength indicating not to perform the deblocking filtering.

Moreover, for example, when the circuitry applies the deblockingfiltering to the boundary, a strength of the deblocking filteringapplied to the boundary is the same as a strength of deblockingfiltering applied to a block boundary of the current block.

For example, an encoding method according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure is an encoding method of encoding an image, the encodingmethod including: deriving a motion vector of a current block byreferring to at least one reference picture different from a picture towhich the current block belongs; performing a mode for estimating, foreach sub-block unit of sub-blocks obtained by splitting the currentblock, a surrounding region of the motion vector to correct the motionvector; determining whether to apply deblocking filtering to each ofboundaries between neighboring ones of the sub-blocks; and applying thedeblocking filtering to the boundary, based on a result of thedetermination.

With this, even when distortion that causes discontinuous pixel valuesoccurs on a sub-block boundary, the encoding method has the possibilityof reducing the distortion by performing the deblocking filtering, andhas the possibility of improving image quality.

For example, a decoding method according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure is a decoding method of decoding an image, the decodingmethod including: deriving a motion vector of a current block byreferring to at least one reference picture different from a picture towhich the current block belongs; performing a mode for estimating, foreach sub-block unit of sub-blocks obtained by splitting the currentblock, a surrounding region of the motion vector to correct the motionvector; determining whether to apply deblocking filtering to each ofboundaries between neighboring ones of the sub-blocks; and applying thedeblocking filtering to the boundary, based on a result of thedetermination.

With this, even when distortion that causes discontinuous pixel valuesoccurs on a sub-block boundary, the decoding method has the possibilityof reducing the distortion by performing the deblocking filtering, andhas the possibility of improving image quality.

Furthermore, these general and specific aspects may be implemented usinga system, a device, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program,a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or anycombination of systems, devices, methods, integrated circuits, computerprograms or recording media.

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to thedrawings. Note that the embodiment described below each show a generalor specific example. The numerical values, shapes, materials,components, the arrangement and connection of the components, steps, therelation and order of the steps, etc., indicated in the followingembodiment are mere examples, and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe claims.

An embodiment of an encoder and a decoder will be described below. Theembodiment is an example of an encoder and a decoder to which theprocesses and/or configurations presented in the description of aspectsof the present disclosure are applicable. The processes and/orconfigurations can also be implemented in an encoder and a decoderdifferent from those according to the embodiment. For example, regardingthe processes and/or configurations as applied to the embodiment, any ofthe following may be implemented:

(1) Any of the components of the encoder or the decoder according to theembodiment presented in the description of aspects of the presentdisclosure may be substituted or combined with another componentpresented anywhere in the description of aspects of the presentdisclosure.

(2) In the encoder or the decoder according to the embodiment,discretionary changes may be made to functions or processes performed byone or more components of the encoder or the decoder, such as addition,substitution, removal, etc., of the functions or processes. For example,any function or process may be substituted or combined with anotherfunction or process presented anywhere in the description of aspects ofthe present disclosure.

(3) In methods implemented by the encoder or the decoder according tothe embodiment, discretionary changes may be made such as addition,substitution, and removal of one or more of the processes included inthe method. For example, any process in the method may be substituted orcombined with another process presented anywhere in the description ofaspects of the present disclosure.

(4) One or more components included in the encoder or the decoderaccording to the embodiment may be combined with a component presentedanywhere in the description of aspects of the present disclosure, may becombined with a component including one or more functions presentedanywhere in the description of aspects of the present disclosure, andmay be combined with a component that implements one or more processesimplemented by a component presented in the description of aspects ofthe present disclosure.

(5) A component including one or more functions of the encoder or thedecoder according to the embodiment, or a component that implements oneor more processes of the encoder or the decoder according to theembodiment, may be combined or substituted with a component presentedanywhere in the description of aspects of the present disclosure, with acomponent including one or more functions presented anywhere in thedescription of aspects of the present disclosure, or with a componentthat implements one or more processes presented anywhere in thedescription of aspects of the present disclosure.

(6) In methods implemented by the encoder or the decoder according tothe embodiment, any of the processes included in the method may besubstituted or combined with a process presented anywhere in thedescription of aspects of the present disclosure or with anycorresponding or equivalent process.

(7) One or more processes included in methods implemented by the encoderor the decoder according to the embodiment may be combined with aprocess presented anywhere in the description of aspects of the presentdisclosure.

(8) The implementation of the processes and/or configurations presentedin the description of aspects of the present disclosure is not limitedto the encoder or the decoder according to the embodiments. For example,the processes and/or configurations may be implemented in a device usedfor a purpose different from the moving picture encoder or the movingpicture decoder disclosed in the embodiments.

[Encoder]

First, an encoder according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of encoder 100 accordingto the embodiment. Encoder 100 is an image encoder which encodes animage in units of a block.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , encoder 100 is an apparatus which encodes animage in units of a block, and includes splitter 102, subtractor 104,transformer 106, quantizer 108, entropy encoder 110, inverse quantizer112, inverse transformer 114, adder 116, block memory 118, loop filter120, frame memory 122, intra predictor 124, inter predictor 126, andprediction controller 128.

Encoder 100 is implemented as, for example, a generic processor andmemory. In this case, when a software program stored in the memory isexecuted by the processor, the processor functions as splitter 102,subtractor 104, transformer 106, quantizer 108, entropy encoder 110,inverse quantizer 112, inverse transformer 114, adder 116, loop filter120, intra predictor 124, inter predictor 126, and prediction controller128. Alternatively, encoder 100 may be implemented as one or morededicated electronic circuits corresponding to splitter 102, subtractor104, transformer 106, quantizer 108, entropy encoder 110, inversequantizer 112, inverse transformer 114, adder 116, loop filter 120,intra predictor 124, inter predictor 126, and prediction controller 128.

Hereinafter, an overall flow of processes performed by encoder 100 isdescribed, and then each of constituent elements included in encoder 100will be described.

[Overall Flow of Encoding Process]

FIG. 2 is a flow chart indicating one example of an overall encodingprocess performed by encoder 100.

First, splitter 102 of encoder 100 splits each of pictures included inan input image which is an image into a plurality of blocks having afixed size (e.g., 128×128 pixels) (Step Sal). Splitter 102 then selectsa splitting pattern for the fixed-size block (also referred to as ablock shape) (Step Sa_2). In other words, splitter 102 further splitsthe fixed-size block into a plurality of blocks which form the selectedsplitting pattern. Encoder 100 performs, for each of the plurality ofblocks, Steps Sa_3 to Sa_9 for the block (that is a current block to beencoded).

In other words, a prediction processor which includes all or part ofintra predictor 124, inter predictor 126, and prediction controller 128generates a prediction signal (also referred to as a prediction block)of the current block to be encoded (also referred to as a current block)(Step Sa_3).

Next, subtractor 104 generates a difference between the current blockand a prediction block as a prediction residual (also referred to as adifference block) (Step Sa_4).

Next, transformer 106 transforms the difference block and quantizer 108quantizes the result, to generate a plurality of quantized coefficients(Step Sa_5). It is to be noted that the block having the plurality ofquantized coefficients is also referred to as a coefficient block.

Next, entropy encoder 110 encodes (specifically, entropy encodes) thecoefficient block and a prediction parameter related to generation of aprediction signal to generate an encoded signal (Step Sa_6). It is to benoted that the encoded signal is also referred to as an encodedbitstream, a compressed bitstream, or a stream.

Next, inverse quantizer 112 performs inverse quantization of thecoefficient block and inverse transformer 114 performs inverse transformof the result, to restore a plurality of prediction residuals (that is,a difference block) (Step Sa_7).

Next, adder 116 adds the prediction block to the restored differenceblock to reconstruct the current block as a reconstructed image (alsoreferred to as a reconstructed block or a decoded image block) (StepSa_8). In this way, the reconstructed image is generated.

When the reconstructed image is generated, loop filter 120 performsfiltering of the reconstructed image as necessary (Step Sa_9).

Encoder 100 then determines whether encoding of the entire picture hasbeen finished (Step Sa_10). When determining that the encoding has notyet been finished (No in Step Sa_10), processes from Step Sa_2 areexecuted repeatedly.

Although encoder 100 selects one splitting pattern for a fixed-sizeblock, and encodes each block according to the splitting pattern in theabove-described example, it is to be noted that each block may beencoded according to a corresponding one of a plurality of splittingpatterns. In this case, encoder 100 may evaluate a cost for each of theplurality of splitting patterns, and, for example, may select theencoded signal obtainable by encoding according to the splitting patternwhich yields the smallest cost as an encoded signal which is output.

As illustrated, the processes in Steps Sa_1 to Sa_10 are performedsequentially by encoder 100. Alternatively, two or more of the processesmay be performed in parallel, the processes may be reordered, etc.

[Splitter]

Splitter 102 splits each of pictures included in an input image into aplurality of blocks, and outputs each block to subtractor 104. Forexample, splitter 102 first splits a picture into blocks of a fixed size(for example, 128×128). Other fixed block sizes may be employed. Thefixed-size block is also referred to as a coding tree unit (CTU).Splitter 102 then splits each fixed-size block into blocks of variablesizes (for example, 64×64 or smaller), based on recursive quadtreeand/or binary tree block splitting. In other words, splitter 102 selectsa splitting pattern. The variable-size block is also referred to as acoding unit (CU), a prediction unit (PU), or a transform unit (TU). Itis to be noted that, in various kinds of processing examples, there isno need to differentiate between CU, PU, and TU; all or some of theblocks in a picture may be processed in units of a CU, a PU, or a TU.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating one example of blocksplitting according to an embodiment. In FIG. 3 , the solid linesrepresent block boundaries of blocks split by quadtree block splitting,and the dashed lines represent block boundaries of blocks split bybinary tree block splitting.

Here, block 10 is a square block having 128×128 pixels (128×128 block).This 128×128 block 10 is first split into four square 64×64 blocks(quadtree block splitting).

The upper-left 64×64 block is further vertically split into tworectangular 32×64 blocks, and the left 32×64 block is further verticallysplit into two rectangular 16×64 blocks (binary tree block splitting).As a result, the upper-left 64×64 block is split into two 16×64 blocks11 and 12 and one 32×64 block 13.

The upper-right 64×64 block is horizontally split into two rectangular64×32 blocks 14 and 15 (binary tree block splitting).

The lower-left 64×64 block is first split into four square 32×32 blocks(quadtree block splitting). The upper-left block and the lower-rightblock among the four 32×32 blocks are further split. The upper-left32×32 block is vertically split into two rectangle 16×32 blocks, and theright 16×32 block is further horizontally split into two 16×16 blocks(binary tree block splitting). The lower-right 32×32 block ishorizontally split into two 32×16 blocks (binary tree block splitting).As a result, the lower-left 64×64 block is split into 16×32 block 16,two 16×16 blocks 17 and 18, two 32×32 blocks 19 and 20, and two 32×16blocks 21 and 22.

The lower-right 64×64 block 23 is not split.

As described above, in FIG. 3 , block 10 is split into thirteenvariable-size blocks 11 through 23 based on recursive quadtree andbinary tree block splitting. This type of splitting is also referred toas quadtree plus binary tree (QTBT) splitting.

It is to be noted that, in FIG. 3 , one block is split into four or twoblocks (quadtree or binary tree block splitting), but splitting is notlimited to these examples. For example, one block may be split intothree blocks (ternary block splitting). Splitting including such ternaryblock splitting is also referred to as multi-type tree (MBT) splitting.

[Picture Structure: Slice/Tile]

A picture may be configured in units of one or more slices or tiles inorder to decode the picture in parallel. The picture configured in unitsof one or more slices or tiles may be configured by splitter 102.

Slices are basic encoding units included in a picture. A picture mayinclude, for example, one or more slices. In addition, a slice includesone or more successive coding tree units (CTU).

FIG. 4A is a conceptual diagram illustrating one example of a sliceconfiguration. For example, a picture includes 11×8 CTUs and is splitinto four slices (slices 1 to 4). Slice 1 includes sixteen CTUs, slice 2includes twenty-one CTUs, slice 3 includes twenty-nine CTUs, and slice 4includes twenty-two CTUs. Here, each CTU in the picture belongs to oneof the slices. The shape of each slice is a shape obtainable bysplitting the picture horizontally. A boundary of each slice does notneed to be coincide with an image end, and may be coincide with any ofthe boundaries between CTUs in the image. The processing order of theCTUs in a slice (an encoding order or a decoding order) is, for example,a raster-scan order. A slice includes header information and encodeddata. Features of the slice may be described in header information. Thefeatures include a CTU address of a top CTU in the slice, a slice type,etc.

A tile is a unit of a rectangular region included in a picture. Each oftiles may be assigned with a number referred to as TileId in raster-scanorder.

FIG. 4B is a conceptual diagram indicating an example of a tileconfiguration. For example, a picture includes 11×8 CTUs and is splitinto four tiles of rectangular regions (tiles 1 to 4). When tiles areused, the processing order of CTUs are changed from the processing orderin the case where no tile is used. When no tile is used, CTUs in apicture are processed in raster-scan order. When tiles are used, atleast one CTU in each of the tiles is processed in raster-scan order.For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the processing order of the CTUsincluded in tile 1 is the order which starts from the left-end of thefirst row of tile 1 toward the right-end of the first row of tile 1 andthen starts from the left-end of the second row of tile 1 toward theright-end of the second row of tile 1.

It is to be noted that the one tile may include one or more slices, andone slice may include one or more tiles.

[Subtractor]

Subtractor 104 subtracts a prediction signal (prediction sample that isinput from prediction controller 128 indicated below) from an originalsignal (original sample) in units of a block input from splitter 102 andsplit by splitter 102. In other words, subtractor 104 calculatesprediction errors (also referred to as residuals) of a block to beencoded (hereinafter also referred to as a current block). Subtractor104 then outputs the calculated prediction errors (residuals) totransformer 106.

The original signal is a signal which has been input into encoder 100and represents an image of each picture included in an image (forexample, a luma signal and two chroma signals). Hereinafter, a signalrepresenting an image is also referred to as a sample.

[Transformer]

Transformer 106 transforms prediction errors in spatial domain intotransform coefficients in frequency domain, and outputs the transformcoefficients to quantizer 108. More specifically, transformer 106applies, for example, a defined discrete cosine transform (DCT) ordiscrete sine transform (DST) to prediction errors in spatial domain.The defined DCT or DST may be predefined.

It is to be noted that transformer 106 may adaptively select a transformtype from among a plurality of transform types, and transform predictionerrors into transform coefficients by using a transform basis functioncorresponding to the selected transform type. This sort of transform isalso referred to as explicit multiple core transform (EMT) or adaptivemultiple transform (AMT).

The transform types include, for example, DCT-II, DCT-V, DCT-VIII,DST-I, and DST-VII. FIG. 5A is a chart indicating transform basisfunctions for the example transform types. In FIG. 5A, N indicates thenumber of input pixels. For example, selection of a transform type fromamong the plurality of transform types may depend on a prediction type(one of intra prediction and inter prediction), and may depend on anintra prediction mode.

Information indicating whether to apply such EMT or AMT (referred to as,for example, an EMT flag or an AMT flag) and information indicating theselected transform type is normally signaled at the CU level. It is tobe noted that the signaling of such information does not necessarilyneed to be performed at the CU level, and may be performed at anotherlevel (for example, at the bit sequence level, picture level, slicelevel, tile level, or CTU level).

In addition, transformer 106 may re-transform the transform coefficients(transform result). Such re-transform is also referred to as adaptivesecondary transform (AST) or non-separable secondary transform (NSST).For example, transformer 106 performs re-transform in units of asub-block (for example, 4×4 sub-block) included in a transformcoefficient block corresponding to an intra prediction error.Information indicating whether to apply NSST and information related toa transform matrix for use in NSST are normally signaled at the CUlevel. It is to be noted that the signaling of such information does notnecessarily need to be performed at the CU level, and may be performedat another level (for example, at the sequence level, picture level,slice level, tile level, or CTU level).

Transformer 106 may employ a separable transform and a non-separabletransform. A separable transform is a method in which a transform isperformed a plurality of times by separately performing a transform foreach of a number of directions according to the number of dimensions ofinputs. A non-separable transform is a method of performing a collectivetransform in which two or more dimensions in multidimensional inputs arecollectively regarded as a single dimension.

In one example of a non-separable transform, when an input is a 4×4block, the 4×4 block is regarded as a single array including sixteenelements, and the transform applies a 16×16 transform matrix to thearray.

In another example of a non-separable transform, a 4×4 input block isregarded as a single array including sixteen elements, and then atransform (hypercube givens transform) in which givens revolution isperformed on the array a plurality of times may be performed.

In the transform in transformer 106, the types of bases to betransformed into the frequency domain according to regions in a CU canbe switched. Examples include spatially varying transforms (SVT). InSVT, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, CUs are split into two equal regionshorizontally or vertically, and only one of the regions is transformedinto the frequency domain. A transform basis type can be set for eachregion. For example, DST7 and DST8 are used. In this example, only oneof these two regions in the CU is transformed, and the other is nottransformed. However, both of these two regions may be transformed. Inaddition, the splitting method is not limited to the splitting into twoequal regions, and can be more flexible. For example, the CU may besplit into four equal regions, or information indicating splitting maybe encoded separately and be signaled in the same manner as the CUsplitting. It is to be noted that SVT is also referred to as sub-blocktransform (SBT).

[Quantizer]

Quantizer 108 quantizes the transform coefficients output fromtransformer 106. More specifically, quantizer 108 scans, in a determinedscanning order, the transform coefficients of the current block, andquantizes the scanned transform coefficients based on quantizationparameters (QP) corresponding to the transform coefficients. Quantizer108 then outputs the quantized transform coefficients (hereinafter alsoreferred to as quantized coefficients) of the current block to entropyencoder 110 and inverse quantizer 112. The determined scanning order maybe predetermined.

A determined scanning order is an order for quantizing/inversequantizing transform coefficients. For example, a determined scanningorder may be defined as ascending order of frequency (from low to highfrequency) or descending order of frequency (from high to lowfrequency).

A quantization parameter (QP) is a parameter defining a quantizationstep (quantization width). For example, when the value of thequantization parameter increases, the quantization step also increases.In other words, when the value of the quantization parameter increases,the quantization error increases.

In addition, a quantization matrix may be used for quantization. Forexample, several kinds of quantization matrices may be usedcorrespondingly to frequency transform sizes such as 4×4 and 8×8,prediction modes such as intra prediction and inter prediction, andpixel components such as luma and chroma pixel components. It is to benoted that quantization means digitalizing values sampled at determinedintervals correspondingly to determined levels. In this technical field,quantization may be referred to using other expressions, such asrounding and scaling, and may employ rounding and scaling. Thedetermined intervals and levels may be predetermined.

Methods using quantization matrices include a method using aquantization matrix which has been set directly at the encoder side anda method using a quantization matrix which has been set as a default(default matrix). At the encoder side, a quantization matrix suitablefor features of an image can be set by directly setting a quantizationmatrix. This case, however, has a disadvantage of increasing a codingamount for encoding the quantization matrix.

There is a method for quantizing a high-frequency coefficient and alow-frequency coefficient without using a quantization matrix. It is tobe noted that this method is equivalent to a method using a quantizationmatrix (flat matrix) whose coefficients have the same value.

The quantization matrix may be specified using, for example, a sequenceparameter set (SPS) or a picture parameter set (PPS). The SPS includes aparameter which is used for a sequence, and the PPS includes a parameterwhich is used for a picture. Each of the SPS and the PPS may be simplyreferred to as a parameter set.

[Entropy Encoder]

Entropy encoder 110 generates an encoded signal (encoded bitstream)based on quantized coefficients which have been input from quantizer108. More specifically, entropy encoder 110, for example, binarizesquantized coefficients, and arithmetically encodes the binary signal,and outputs a compressed bit stream or sequence.

[Inverse Quantizer]

Inverse quantizer 112 inverse quantizes quantized coefficients whichhave been input from quantizer 108. More specifically, inverse quantizer112 inverse quantizes, in a determined scanning order, quantizedcoefficients of the current block. Inverse quantizer 112 then outputsthe inverse quantized transform coefficients of the current block toinverse transformer 114. The determined scanning order may bepredetermined.

[Inverse Transformer]

Inverse transformer 114 restores prediction errors (residuals) byinverse transforming transform coefficients which have been input frominverse quantizer 112. More specifically, inverse transformer 114restores the prediction errors of the current block by applying aninverse transform corresponding to the transform applied by transformer106 on the transform coefficients. Inverse transformer 114 then outputsthe restored prediction errors to adder 116.

It is to be noted that since information is lost in quantization, therestored prediction errors do not match the prediction errors calculatedby subtractor 104. In other words, the restored prediction errorsnormally include quantization errors.

[Adder]

Adder 116 reconstructs the current block by adding prediction errorswhich have been input from inverse transformer 114 and predictionsamples which have been input from prediction controller 128. Adder 116then outputs the reconstructed block to block memory 118 and loop filter120. A reconstructed block is also referred to as a local decoded block.

[Block Memory]

Block memory 118 is, for example, storage for storing blocks in apicture to be encoded (hereinafter referred to as a current picture)which is referred to in intra prediction. More specifically, blockmemory 118 stores reconstructed blocks output from adder 116.

[Frame Memory]

Frame memory 122 is, for example, storage for storing reference picturesfor use in inter prediction, and is also referred to as a frame buffer.More specifically, frame memory 122 stores reconstructed blocks filteredby loop filter 120.

[Loop Filter]

Loop filter 120 applies a loop filter to blocks reconstructed by adder116, and outputs the filtered reconstructed blocks to frame memory 122.A loop filter is a filter used in an encoding loop (in-loop filter), andincludes, for example, a deblocking filter (DF or DBF), a sampleadaptive offset (SAO), and an adaptive loop filter (ALF).

In an ALF, a least square error filter for removing compressionartifacts is applied. For example, one filter selected from among aplurality of filters based on the direction and activity of localgradients is applied for each of 2×2 sub-blocks in the current block.

More specifically, first, each sub-block (for example, each 2×2sub-block) is categorized into one out of a plurality of classes (forexample, fifteen or twenty-five classes). The classification of thesub-block is based on gradient directionality and activity. For example,classification index C (for example, C=5D+A) is derived based ongradient directionality D (for example, 0 to 2 or 0 to 4) and gradientactivity A (for example, 0 to 4). Then, based on classification index C,each sub-block is categorized into one out of a plurality of classes.

For example, gradient directionality D is calculated by comparinggradients of a plurality of directions (for example, the horizontal,vertical, and two diagonal directions). Moreover, for example, gradientactivity A is calculated by adding gradients of a plurality ofdirections and quantizing the result of addition.

The filter to be used for each sub-block is determined from among theplurality of filters based on the result of such categorization.

The filter shape to be used in an ALF is, for example, a circularsymmetric filter shape. FIG. 6A through FIG. 6C illustrate examples offilter shapes used in ALFs. FIG. 6A illustrates a 5×5 diamond shapefilter, FIG. 6B illustrates a 7×7 diamond shape filter, and FIG. 6Cillustrates a 9×9 diamond shape filter. Information indicating thefilter shape is normally signaled at the picture level. It is to benoted that the signaling of such information indicating the filter shapedoes not necessarily need to be performed at the picture level, and maybe performed at another level (for example, at the sequence level, slicelevel, tile level, CTU level, or CU level).

The ON or OFF of the ALF is determined, for example, at the picturelevel or CU level. For example, the decision of whether to apply the ALFto luma may be made at the CU level, and the decision of whether toapply ALF to chroma may be made at the picture level. Informationindicating ON or OFF of the ALF is normally signaled at the picturelevel or CU level. It is to be noted that the signaling of informationindicating ON or OFF of the ALF does not necessarily need to beperformed at the picture level or CU level, and may be performed atanother level (for example, at the sequence level, slice level, tilelevel, or CTU level).

The coefficient set for the plurality of selectable filters (forexample, fifteen or up to twenty-five filters) is normally signaled atthe picture level. It is to be noted that the signaling of thecoefficient set does not necessarily need to be performed at the picturelevel, and may be performed at another level (for example, at thesequence level, slice level, tile level, CTU level, CU level, orsub-block level).

[Loop Filter>Deblocking Filter]

In a deblocking filter, loop filter 120 performs a filter process on ablock boundary in a reconstructed image so as to reduce distortion whichoccurs at the block boundary.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating one example of a specificconfiguration of loop filter 120 which functions as a deblocking filter.

Loop filter 120 includes: boundary determiner 1201; filter determiner1203; filtering executor 1205; process determiner 1208; filtercharacteristic determiner 1207; and switches 1202, 1204, and 1206.

Boundary determiner 1201 determines whether a pixel to bedeblock-filtered (that is, a current pixel) is present around a blockboundary. Boundary determiner 1201 then outputs the determination resultto switch 1202 and processing determiner 1208.

In the case where boundary determiner 1201 has determined that a currentpixel is present around a block boundary, switch 1202 outputs anunfiltered image to switch 1204. In the opposite case where boundarydeterminer 1201 has determined that no current pixel is present around ablock boundary, switch 1202 outputs an unfiltered image to switch 1206.

Filter determiner 1203 determines whether to perform deblockingfiltering of the current pixel, based on the pixel value of at least onesurrounding pixel located around the current pixel. Filter determiner1203 then outputs the determination result to switch 1204 and processingdeterminer 1208.

In the case where filter determiner 1203 has determined to performdeblocking filtering of the current pixel, switch 1204 outputs theunfiltered image obtained through switch 1202 to filtering executor1205. In the opposite case were filter determiner 1203 has determinednot to perform deblocking filtering of the current pixel, switch 1204outputs the unfiltered image obtained through switch 1202 to switch1206.

When obtaining the unfiltered image through switches 1202 and 1204,filtering executor 1205 executes, for the current pixel, deblockingfiltering with the filter characteristic determined by filtercharacteristic determiner 1207. Filtering executor 1205 then outputs thefiltered pixel to switch 1206.

Under control by processing determiner 1208, switch 1206 selectivelyoutputs a pixel which has not been deblock-filtered and a pixel whichhas been deblock-filtered by filtering executor 1205.

Processing determiner 1208 controls switch 1206 based on the results ofdeterminations made by boundary determiner 1201 and filter determiner1203. In other words, processing determiner 1208 causes switch 1206 tooutput the pixel which has been deblock-filtered when boundarydeterminer 1201 has determined that the current pixel is present aroundthe block boundary and filter determiner 1203 has determined to performdeblocking filtering of the current pixel. In addition, other than theabove case, processing determiner 1208 causes switch 1206 to output thepixel which has not been deblock-filtered. A filtered image is outputfrom switch 1206 by repeating output of a pixel in this way.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram indicating an example of a deblockingfilter having a symmetrical filtering characteristic with respect to ablock boundary.

In a deblocking filter process, one of two deblocking filters havingdifferent characteristics, that is, a strong filter and a weak filter isselected using pixel values and quantization parameters. In the case ofthe strong filter, pixels p0 to p2 and pixels q0 to q2 are presentacross a block boundary as illustrated in FIG. 8 , the pixel values ofthe respective pixel q0 to q2 are changed to pixel values q′0 to q′2 byperforming, for example, computations according to the expressionsbelow.q′0=(p1+2×p0+2×q0+2×q1+q2+4)/8q′=(p0+q0+q1+q2+2)/4q′2=(p0+q0+q1+3×q2+2×q3+4)/8

It is to be noted that, in the above expressions, p0 to p2 and q0 to q2are the pixel values of respective pixels p0 to p2 and pixels q0 to q2.In addition, q3 is the pixel value of neighboring pixel q3 located atthe opposite side of pixel q2 with respect to the block boundary. Inaddition, in the right side of each of the expressions, coefficientswhich are multiplied with the respective pixel values of the pixels tobe used for deblocking filtering are filter coefficients.

Furthermore, in the deblocking filtering, clipping may be performed sothat the calculated pixel values are not set over a threshold value. Inthe clipping process, the pixel values calculated according to the aboveexpressions are clipped to a value obtained according to “a computationpixel value±2×a threshold value” using the threshold value determinedbased on a quantization parameter. In this way, it is possible toprevent excessive smoothing.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating a block boundary onwhich a deblocking filter process is performed. FIG. 10 is a conceptualdiagram indicating examples of Bs values.

The block boundary on which the deblocking filter process is performedis, for example, a boundary between prediction units (PU) having 8×8pixel blocks as illustrated in FIG. 9 or a boundary between transformunits (TU). The deblocking filter process may be performed in units offour rows or four columns. First, boundary strength (Bs) values aredetermined as indicated in FIG. 10 for block P and block Q illustratedin FIG. 9 .

According to the Bs values in FIG. 10 , whether to perform deblockingfilter processes of block boundaries belonging to the same image usingdifferent strengths is determined. The deblocking filter process for achroma signal is performed when a Bs value is 2. The deblocking filterprocess for a luma signal is performed when a Bs value is 1 or more anda determined condition is satisfied. The determined condition may bepredetermined. It is to be noted that conditions for determining Bsvalues are not limited to those indicated in FIG. 10 , and a Bs valuemay be determined based on another parameter.

[Prediction Processor (Intra Predictor, Inter Predictor, PredictionController)]

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a process performedby the prediction processor of encoder 100. It is to be noted that theprediction processor includes all or part of the following constituentelements: intra predictor 124; inter predictor 126; and predictioncontroller 128.

The prediction processor generates a prediction image of a current block(Step Sb_1). This prediction image is also referred to as a predictionsignal or a prediction block. It is to be noted that the predictionsignal is, for example, an intra prediction signal or an interprediction signal. Specifically, the prediction processor generates theprediction image of the current block using a reconstructed image whichhas been already obtained through generation of a prediction block,generation of a difference block, generation of a coefficient block,restoring of a difference block, and generation of a decoded imageblock.

The reconstructed image may be, for example, an image in a referencepicture, or an image of an encoded block in a current picture which isthe picture including the current block. The encoded block in thecurrent picture is, for example, a neighboring block of the currentblock.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating another example of a processperformed by the prediction processor of encoder 100.

The prediction processor generates a prediction image using a firstmethod (Step Sc_1 a), generates a prediction image using a second method(Step Sc_1 b), and generates a prediction image using a third method(Step Sc_1 c). The first method, the second method, and the third methodmay be mutually different methods for generating a prediction image.Each of the first to third methods may be an inter prediction method, anintra prediction method, or another prediction method. Theabove-described reconstructed image may be used in these predictionmethods.

Next, the prediction processor selects any one of a plurality ofprediction methods generated in Steps Sc_1 a, Sc_1 b, and Sc_1 c (StepSc_2). The selection of the prediction image, that is selection of amethod or a mode for obtaining a final prediction image may be made bycalculating a cost for each of the generated prediction images and basedon the cost. Alternatively, the selection of the prediction image may bemade based on a parameter which is used in an encoding process. Encoder100 may transform information for identifying a selected predictionimage, a method, or a mode into an encoded signal (also referred to asan encoded bitstream). The information may be, for example, a flag orthe like. In this way, the decoder is capable of generating a predictionimage according to the method or the mode selected based on theinformation in encoder 100. It is to be noted that, in the exampleillustrated in FIG. 12 , the prediction processor selects any of theprediction images after the prediction images are generated using therespective methods. However, the prediction processor may select amethod or a mode based on a parameter for use in the above-describedencoding process before generating prediction images, and may generate aprediction image according to the method or mode selected.

For example, the first method and the second method may be intraprediction and inter prediction, respectively, and the predictionprocessor may select a final prediction image for a current block fromprediction images generated according to the prediction methods.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating another example of a processperformed by the prediction processor of encoder 100.

First, the prediction processor generates a prediction image using intraprediction (Step Sd_1 a), and generates a prediction image using interprediction (Step Sd_1 b). It is to be noted that the prediction imagegenerated by intra prediction is also referred to as an intra predictionimage, and the prediction image generated by inter prediction is alsoreferred to as an inter prediction image.

Next, the prediction processor evaluates each of the intra predictionimage and the inter prediction image (Step Sd_2). A cost may be used inthe evaluation. In other words, the prediction processor calculates costC for each of the intra prediction image and the inter prediction image.Cost C may be calculated according to an expression of an R-Doptimization model, for example, C=D+λ×R. In this expression, Dindicates a coding distortion of a prediction image, and is representedas, for example, a sum of absolute differences between the pixel valueof a current block and the pixel value of a prediction image. Inaddition, R indicates a predicted coding amount of a prediction image,specifically, the coding amount required to encode motion informationfor generating a prediction image, etc. In addition, a indicates, forexample, a multiplier according to the method of Lagrange multiplier.

The prediction processor then selects the prediction image for which thesmallest cost C has been calculated among the intra prediction image andthe inter prediction image, as the final prediction image for thecurrent block (Step Sd_3). In other words, the prediction method or themode for generating the prediction image for the current block isselected.

[Intra Predictor]

Intra predictor 124 generates a prediction signal (intra predictionsignal) by performing intra prediction (also referred to as intra frameprediction) of the current block by referring to a block or blocks inthe current picture and stored in block memory 118. More specifically,intra predictor 124 generates an intra prediction signal by performingintra prediction by referring to samples (for example, luma and/orchroma values) of a block or blocks neighboring the current block, andthen outputs the intra prediction signal to prediction controller 128.

For example, intra predictor 124 performs intra prediction by using onemode from among a plurality of intra prediction modes which have beendefined. The intra prediction modes include one or more non-directionalprediction modes and a plurality of directional prediction modes. Thedefined modes may be predefined.

The one or more non-directional prediction modes include, for example,the planar prediction mode and DC prediction mode defined in theH.265/high-efficiency video coding (HEVC) standard.

The plurality of directional prediction modes include, for example, thethirty-three directional prediction modes defined in the H.265/HEVCstandard. It is to be noted that the plurality of directional predictionmodes may further include thirty-two directional prediction modes inaddition to the thirty-three directional prediction modes (for a totalof sixty-five directional prediction modes). FIG. 14 is a conceptualdiagram illustrating sixty-seven intra prediction modes in total thatmay be used in intra prediction (two non-directional prediction modesand sixty-five directional prediction modes). The solid arrows representthe thirty-three directions defined in the H.265/HEVC standard, and thedashed arrows represent the additional thirty-two directions (the twonon-directional prediction modes are not illustrated in FIG. 14 ).

In various kinds of processing examples, a luma block may be referred toin intra prediction of a chroma block. In other words, a chromacomponent of the current block may be predicted based on a lumacomponent of the current block. Such intra prediction is also referredto as cross-component linear model (CCLM) prediction. The intraprediction mode for a chroma block in which such a luma block isreferred to (also referred to as, for example, a CCLM mode) may be addedas one of the intra prediction modes for chroma blocks.

Intra predictor 124 may correct intra-predicted pixel values based onhorizontal/vertical reference pixel gradients. Intra predictionaccompanied by this sort of correcting is also referred to as positiondependent intra prediction combination (PDPC). Information indicatingwhether to apply PDPC (referred to as, for example, a PDPC flag) isnormally signaled at the CU level. It is to be noted that the signalingof such information does not necessarily need to be performed at the CUlevel, and may be performed at another level (for example, at thesequence level, picture level, slice level, tile level, or CTU level).

[Inter Predictor]

Inter predictor 126 generates a prediction signal (inter predictionsignal) by performing inter prediction (also referred to as inter frameprediction) of the current block by referring to a block or blocks in areference picture, which is different from the current picture and isstored in frame memory 122. Inter prediction is performed in units of acurrent block or a current sub-block (for example, a 4×4 block) in thecurrent block. For example, inter predictor 126 performs motionestimation in a reference picture for the current block or the currentsub-block, and finds out a reference block or a sub-block which bestmatches the current block or the current sub-block. Inter predictor 126then obtains motion information (for example, a motion vector) whichcompensates a motion or a change from the reference block or thesub-block to the current block or the sub-block. Inter predictor 126generates an inter prediction signal of the current block or thesub-block by performing motion compensation (or motion prediction) basedon the motion information. Inter predictor 126 outputs the generatedinter prediction signal to prediction controller 128.

The motion information used in motion compensation may be signaled asinter prediction signals in various forms. For example, a motion vectormay be signaled. As another example, the difference between a motionvector and a motion vector predictor may be signaled.

[Basic Flow of Inter Prediction]

FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating an example basic processing flow ofinter prediction.

First, inter predictor 126 generates a prediction signal (Steps Se_1 toSe_3). Next, subtractor 104 generates the difference between a currentblock and a prediction image as a prediction residual (Step Se_4).

Here, in the generation of the prediction image, inter predictor 126generates the prediction image through determination of a motion vector(MV) of the current block (Steps Se_1 and Se_2) and motion compensation(Step Se_3). Furthermore, in determination of an MV, inter predictor 126determines the MV through selection of a motion vector candidate (MVcandidate) (Step Se_1) and derivation of an MV (Step Se_2). Theselection of the MV candidate is made by, for example, selecting atleast one MV candidate from an MV candidate list. Alternatively, inderivation of an MV, inter predictor 126 may further select at least oneMV candidate from the at least one MV candidate, and determine theselected at least one MV candidate as the MV for the current block.Alternatively, inter predictor 126 may determine the MV for the currentblock by performing estimation in a reference picture region specifiedby each of the selected at least one MV candidate. It is to be notedthat the estimation in a reference picture region may be referred to asmotion estimation.

In addition, although Steps Se_1 to Se_3 are performed by interpredictor 126 in the above-described example, a process that is forexample Step Se_1, Step Se_2, or the like may be performed by anotherconstituent element included in encoder 100.

[Motion Vector Derivation Flow]

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating one example of derivation of motionvectors.

Inter predictor 126 derives an MV of a current block in a mode forencoding motion information (for example, an MV). In this case, forexample, the motion information is encoded as a prediction parameter,and is signaled. In other words, the encoded motion information isincluded in an encoded signal (also referred to as an encodedbitstream).

Alternatively, inter predictor 126 derives an MV in a mode in whichmotion information is not encoded. In this case, no motion informationis included in an encoded signal.

Here, MV derivation modes may include a normal inter mode, a merge mode,a FRUC mode, an affine mode, etc. which are described later. Modes inwhich motion information is encoded among the modes include the normalinter mode, the merge mode, the affine mode (specifically, an affineinter mode and an affine merge mode), etc. It is to be noted that motioninformation may include not only an MV but also motion vector predictorselection information which is described later. Modes in which no motioninformation is encoded include the FRUC mode, etc. Inter predictor 126selects a mode for deriving an MV of the current block from the modes,and derives the MV of the current block using the selected mode.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating another example of derivation ofmotion vectors.

Inter predictor 126 derives an MV of a current block in a mode in whichan MV difference is encoded. In this case, for example, the MVdifference is encoded as a prediction parameter, and is signaled. Inother words, the encoded MV difference is included in an encoded signal.The MV difference is the difference between the MV of the current blockand the MV predictor.

Alternatively, inter predictor 126 derives an MV in a mode in which noMV difference is encoded. In this case, no encoded MV difference isincluded in an encoded signal.

Here, as described above, the MV derivation modes include the normalinter mode, the merge mode, the FRUC mode, the affine mode, etc. whichare described later. Modes in which an MV difference is encoded amongthe modes include the normal inter mode, the affine mode (specifically,the affine inter mode), etc. Modes in which no MV difference is encodedinclude the FRUC mode, the merge mode, the affine mode (specifically,the affine merge mode), etc. Inter predictor 126 selects a mode forderiving an MV of the current block from the plurality of modes, andderives the MV of the current block using the selected mode.

[Motion Vector Derivation Flow]

FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating another example of derivation ofmotion vectors. The MV derivation modes which are inter prediction modesinclude a plurality of modes and are roughly divided into modes in whichan MV difference is encoded and modes in which no motion vectordifference is encoded. The modes in which no MV difference is encodedinclude the merge mode, the FRUC mode, the affine mode (specifically,the affine merge mode), etc. These modes are described in detail later.Simply, the merge mode is a mode for deriving an MV of a current blockby selecting a motion vector from an encoded surrounding block, and theFRUC mode is a mode for deriving an MV of a current block by performingestimation between encoded regions. The affine mode is a mode forderiving, as an MV of a current block, a motion vector of each of aplurality of sub-blocks included in the current block, assuming affinetransform.

More specifically, as illustrated when the inter prediction modeinformation indicates 0 (0 in Sf_1), inter predictor 126 derives amotion vector using the merge mode (Sf_2). When the inter predictionmode information indicates 1 (1 in Sf_1), inter predictor 126 derives amotion vector using the FRUC mode (Sf_3). When the inter prediction modeinformation indicates 2 (2 in Sf_1), inter predictor 126 derives amotion vector using the affine mode (specifically, the affine mergemode) (Sf_4). When the inter prediction mode information indicates 3 (3in Sf_1), inter predictor 126 derives a motion vector using a mode inwhich an MV difference is encoded (for example, a normal inter mode(Sf_5).

[MV Derivation>Normal Inter Mode]

The normal inter mode is an inter prediction mode for deriving an MV ofa current block based on a block similar to the image of the currentblock from a reference picture region specified by an MV candidate. Inthis normal inter mode, an MV difference is encoded.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating an example of inter prediction innormal inter mode.

First, inter predictor 126 obtains a plurality of MV candidates for acurrent block based on information such as MVs of a plurality of encodedblocks temporally or spatially surrounding the current block (StepSg_1). In other words, inter predictor 126 generates an MV candidatelist.

Next, inter predictor 126 extracts N (an integer of 2 or larger) MVcandidates from the plurality of MV candidates obtained in Step Sg_1, asmotion vector predictor candidates (also referred to as MV predictorcandidates) according to a determined priority order (Step Sg_2). It isto be noted that the priority order may be determined in advance foreach of the N MV candidates.

Next, inter predictor 126 selects one motion vector predictor candidatefrom the N motion vector predictor candidates, as the motion vectorpredictor (also referred to as an MV predictor) of the current block(Step Sg_3). At this time, inter predictor 126 encodes, in a stream,motion vector predictor selection information for identifying theselected motion vector predictor. It is to be noted that the stream isan encoded signal or an encoded bitstream as described above.

Next, inter predictor 126 derives an MV of a current block by referringto an encoded reference picture (Step Sg_4). At this time, interpredictor 126 further encodes, in the stream, the difference valuebetween the derived MV and the motion vector predictor as an MVdifference. It is to be noted that the encoded reference picture is apicture including a plurality of blocks which have been reconstructedafter being encoded.

Lastly, inter predictor 126 generates a prediction image for the currentblock by performing motion compensation of the current block using thederived MV and the encoded reference picture (Step Sg_5). It is to benoted that the prediction image is an inter prediction signal asdescribed above.

In addition, information indicating the inter prediction mode (normalinter mode in the above example) used to generate the prediction imageis, for example, encoded as a prediction parameter.

It is to be noted that the MV candidate list may be also used as a listfor use in another mode. In addition, the processes related to the MVcandidate list may be applied to processes related to the list for usein another mode. The processes related to the MV candidate list include,for example, extraction or selection of an MV candidate from the MVcandidate list, reordering of MV candidates, or deletion of an MVcandidate.

[MV Derivation>Merge Mode]

The merge mode is an inter prediction mode for selecting an MV candidatefrom an MV candidate list as an MV of a current block, thereby derivingthe MV.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating an example of inter prediction inmerge mode.

First, inter predictor 126 obtains a plurality of MV candidates for acurrent block based on information such as MVs of a plurality of encodedblocks temporally or spatially surrounding the current block (StepSh_1). In other words, inter predictor 126 generates an MV candidatelist.

Next, inter predictor 126 selects one MV candidate from the plurality ofMV candidates obtained in Step Sh_1, thereby deriving an MV of thecurrent block (Step Sh_2). At this time, inter predictor 126 encodes, ina stream, MV selection information for identifying the selected MVcandidate.

Lastly, inter predictor 126 generates a prediction image for the currentblock by performing motion compensation of the current block using thederived MV and the encoded reference picture (Step Sh_3).

In addition, information indicating the inter prediction mode (mergemode in the above example) used to generate the prediction image andincluded in the encoded signal is, for example, encoded as a predictionparameter.

FIG. 21 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example of a motionvector derivation process of a current picture in merge mode.

First, an MV candidate list in which MV predictor candidates areregistered is generated. Examples of MV predictor candidates include:spatially neighboring MV predictors which are MVs of a plurality ofencoded blocks located spatially surrounding a current block; temporallyneighboring MV predictors which are MVs of surrounding blocks on whichthe position of a current block in an encoded reference picture isprojected; combined MV predictors which are MVs generated by combiningthe MV value of a spatially neighboring MV predictor and the MV of atemporally neighboring MV predictor; and a zero MV predictor which is anMV having a zero value.

Next, one MV predictor is selected from a plurality of MV predictorsregistered in an MV predictor list, and the selected MV predictor isdetermined as the MV of a current block.

Furthermore, the variable length encoder describes and encodes, in astream, merge_idx which is a signal indicating which MV predictor hasbeen selected.

It is to be noted that the MV predictors registered in the MV predictorlist described in FIG. 21 are examples. The number of MV predictors maybe different from the number of MV predictors in the diagram, the MVpredictor list may be configured in such a manner that some of the kindsof the MV predictors in the diagram may not be included, or that one ormore MV predictors other than the kinds of MV predictors in the diagramare included.

A final MV may be determined by performing a decoder motion vectorrefinement process (DMVR) to be described later using the MV of thecurrent block derived in merge mode.

It is to be noted that the MV predictor candidates are MV candidatesdescribed above, and the MV predictor list is the MV candidate listdescribed above. It is to be noted that the MV candidate list may bereferred to as a candidate list. In addition, merge_idx is MV selectioninformation.

[MV Derivation>FRUC Mode]

Motion information may be derived at the decoder side without beingsignaled from the encoder side. It is to be noted that, as describedabove, the merge mode defined in the H.265/HEVC standard may be used. Inaddition, for example, motion information may be derived by performingmotion estimation at the decoder side. In an embodiment, at the decoderside, motion estimation is performed without using any pixel value in acurrent block.

Here, a mode for performing motion estimation at the decoder side isdescribed. The mode for performing motion estimation at the decoder sidemay be referred to as a pattern matched motion vector derivation (PMMVD)mode, or a frame rate up-conversion (FRUC) mode.

One example of a FRUC process in the form of a flow chart is illustratedin FIG. 22 . First, a list of a plurality of candidates each having amotion vector (MV) predictor (that is, an MV candidate list that may bealso used as a merge list) is generated by referring to a motion vectorin an encoded block which spatially or temporally neighbors a currentblock (Step Si_1). Next, a best MV candidate is selected from theplurality of MV candidates registered in the MV candidate list (StepSi_2). For example, the evaluation values of the respective MVcandidates included in the MV candidate list are calculated, and one MVcandidate is selected based on the evaluation values. Based on theselected motion vector candidates, a motion vector for the current blockis then derived (Step Si_4). More specifically, for example, theselected motion vector candidate (best MV candidate) is derived directlyas the motion vector for the current block. In addition, for example,the motion vector for the current block may be derived using patternmatching in a surrounding region of a position in a reference picturewhere the position in the reference picture corresponds to the selectedmotion vector candidate. In other words, estimation using the patternmatching and the evaluation values may be performed in the surroundingregion of the best MV candidate, and when there is an MV that yields abetter evaluation value, the best MV candidate may be updated to the MVthat yields the better evaluation value, and the updated MV may bedetermined as the final MV for the current block. A configuration inwhich no such a process for updating the best MV candidate to the MVhaving a better evaluation value is performed is also possible.

Lastly, inter predictor 126 generates a prediction image for the currentblock by performing motion compensation of the current block using thederived MV and the encoded reference picture (Step Si_5).

A similar process may be performed in units of a sub-block.

Evaluation values may be calculated according to various kinds ofmethods. For example, a comparison is made between a reconstructed imagein a region in a reference picture corresponding to a motion vector anda reconstructed image in a determined region (the region may be, forexample, a region in another reference picture or a region in aneighboring block of a current picture, as indicated below). Thedetermined region may be predetermined.

The difference between the pixel values of the two reconstructed imagesmay be used for an evaluation value of the motion vectors. It is to benoted that an evaluation value may be calculated using information otherthan the value of the difference.

Next, an example of pattern matching is described in detail. First, oneMV candidate included in an MV candidate list (for example, a mergelist) is selected as a start point of estimation by the patternmatching. For example, as the pattern matching, either a first patternmatching or a second pattern matching may be used. The first patternmatching and the second pattern matching are also referred to asbilateral matching and template matching, respectively.

[MV Derivation>FRUC>Bilateral Matching]

In the first pattern matching, pattern matching is performed between twoblocks along a motion trajectory of a current block which are two blocksin different two reference pictures. Accordingly, in the first patternmatching, a region in another reference picture along the motiontrajectory of the current block is used as a determined region forcalculating the evaluation value of the above-described candidate. Thedetermined region may be predetermined.

FIG. 23 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example of thefirst pattern matching (bilateral matching) between the two blocks inthe two reference pictures along the motion trajectory. As illustratedin FIG. 23 , in the first pattern matching, two motion vectors (MV0,MV1) are derived by estimating a pair which best matches among pairs inthe two blocks in the two different reference pictures (Ref0, Ref1)which are the two blocks along the motion trajectory of the currentblock (Cur block). More specifically, a difference between thereconstructed image at a specified location in the first encodedreference picture (Ref0) specified by an MV candidate and thereconstructed image at a specified location in the second encodedreference picture (Ref1) specified by a symmetrical MV obtained byscaling the MV candidate at a display time interval is derived for thecurrent block, and an evaluation value is calculated using the value ofthe obtained difference. It is possible to select, as the final MV, theMV candidate which yields the best evaluation value among the pluralityof MV candidates, and which is likely to produce good results.

In the assumption of a continuous motion trajectory, the motion vectors(MV0, MV1) specifying the two reference blocks are proportional totemporal distances (TD0, TD1) between the current picture (Cur Pic) andthe two reference pictures (Ref0, Ref1). For example, when the currentpicture is temporally located between the two reference pictures and thetemporal distances from the current picture to the respective tworeference pictures are equal to each other, mirror-symmetricalbi-directional motion vectors are derived in the first pattern matching.

[MV Derivation>FRUC>Template Matching]

In the second pattern matching (template matching), pattern matching isperformed between a block in a reference picture and a template in thecurrent picture (the template is a block neighboring the current blockin the current picture (the neighboring block is, for example, an upperand/or left neighboring block(s))). Accordingly, in the second patternmatching, the block neighboring the current block in the current pictureis used as the determined region for calculating the evaluation value ofthe above-described candidate.

FIG. 24 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example of patternmatching (template matching) between a template in a current picture anda block in a reference picture. As illustrated in FIG. 24 , in thesecond pattern matching, the motion vector of the current block (Curblock) is derived by estimating, in the reference picture (Ref0), theblock which best matches the block neighboring the current block in thecurrent picture (Cur Pic). More specifically, it is possible that thedifference between a reconstructed image in an encoded region whichneighbors both left and above or either left or above and areconstructed image which is in a corresponding region in the encodedreference picture (Ref0) and is specified by an MV candidate is derived,an evaluation value is calculated using the value of the obtaineddifference, and the MV candidate which yields the best evaluation valueamong a plurality of MV candidates is selected as the best MV candidate.

Such information indicating whether to apply the FRUC mode (referred toas, for example, a FRUC flag) may be signaled at the CU level. Inaddition, when the FRUC mode is applied (for example, when a FRUC flagis true), information indicating an applicable pattern matching method(either the first pattern matching or the second pattern matching) maybe signaled at the CU level. It is to be noted that the signaling ofsuch information does not necessarily need to be performed at the CUlevel, and may be performed at another level (for example, at thesequence level, picture level, slice level, tile level, CTU level, orsub-block level).

[MV Derivation>Affine Mode]

Next, the affine mode for deriving a motion vector in units of asub-block based on motion vectors of a plurality of neighboring blocksis described. This mode is also referred to as an affine motioncompensation prediction mode.

FIG. 25A is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example ofderiving a motion vector of each sub-block based on motion vectors of aplurality of neighboring blocks. In FIG. 25A, the current block includessixteen 4×4 sub-blocks. Here, motion vector V₀ at an upper-left cornercontrol point in the current block is derived based on a motion vectorof a neighboring block, and likewise, motion vector V₁ at an upper-rightcorner control point in the current block is derived based on a motionvector of a neighboring sub-block. Two motion vectors v₀ and v₁ may beprojected according to an expression (1A) indicated below, and motionvectors (v_(x), v_(y)) for the respective sub-blocks in the currentblock may be derived.

$\begin{matrix}\left\lbrack {{Math}.1} \right\rbrack &  \\\left\{ \begin{matrix}{v_{x} = {{\frac{\left( {v_{1x} - v_{0x}} \right)}{w}x} - {\frac{\left( {v_{1y} - v_{0y}} \right)}{w}y} + v_{0x}}} \\{v_{y} = {{\frac{\left( {v_{1y} - v_{0y}} \right)}{w}x} - {\frac{\left( {v_{1x} - v_{0x}} \right)}{w}y} + v_{0y}}}\end{matrix} \right. & \left( {1A} \right)\end{matrix}$

Here, x and y indicate the horizontal position and the vertical positionof the sub-block, respectively, and w indicates a determined weightingcoefficient. The determined weighting coefficient may be predetermined.

Such information indicating the affine mode (for example, referred to asan affine flag) may be signaled at the CU level. It is to be noted thatthe signaling of the information indicating the affine mode does notnecessarily need to be performed at the CU level, and may be performedat another level (for example, at the sequence level, picture level,slice level, tile level, CTU level, or sub-block level).

In addition, the affine mode may include several modes for differentmethods for deriving motion vectors at the upper-left and upper-rightcorner control points. For example, the affine mode includes two modeswhich are the affine inter mode (also referred to as an affine normalinter mode) and the affine merge mode.

[MV Derivation>Affine Mode]

FIG. 25B is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example ofderiving a motion vector of each sub-block in affine mode in which threecontrol points are used. In FIG. 25B, the current block includes sixteen4×4 blocks. Here, motion vector V₀ at the upper-left corner controlpoint for the current block is derived based on a motion vector of aneighboring block, and likewise, motion vector V₁ at the upper-rightcorner control point for the current block is derived based on a motionvector of a neighboring block, and motion vector V₂ at the lower-leftcorner control point for the current block is derived based on a motionvector of a neighboring block. Three motion vectors v₀, v₁, and v₂ maybe projected according to an expression (1B) indicated below, and motionvectors (v_(x), v_(y)) for the respective sub-blocks in the currentblock may be derived.

$\begin{matrix}\left\lbrack {{Math}.2} \right\rbrack &  \\\left\{ \begin{matrix}{v_{x} = {{\frac{\left( {v_{1x} - v_{0x}} \right)}{w}x} - {\frac{\left( {v_{2x} - v_{0x}} \right)}{h}y} + v_{0x}}} \\{v_{y} = {{\frac{\left( {v_{1y} - v_{0y}} \right)}{w}x} - {\frac{\left( {v_{2y} - v_{0y}} \right)}{h}y} + v_{0y}}}\end{matrix} \right. & \left( {1B} \right)\end{matrix}$

Here, x and y indicate the horizontal position and the vertical positionof the center of the sub-block, respectively, w indicates the width ofthe current block, and h indicates the height of the current block.

Affine modes in which different numbers of control points (for example,two and three control points) are used may be switched and signaled atthe CU level. It is to be noted that information indicating the numberof control points in affine mode used at the CU level may be signaled atanother level (for example, the sequence level, picture level, slicelevel, tile level, CTU level, or sub-block level).

In addition, such an affine mode in which three control points are usedmay include different methods for deriving motion vectors at theupper-left, upper-right, and lower-left corner control points. Forexample, the affine modes include two modes which are the affine intermode (also referred to as the affine normal inter mode) and the affinemerge mode.

[MV Derivation>Affine Merge Mode]

FIG. 26A, FIG. 26B, and FIG. 26C are conceptual diagrams forillustrating the affine merge mode.

As illustrated in FIG. 26A, in the affine merge mode, for example,motion vector predictors at respective control points of a current blockare calculated based on a plurality of motion vectors corresponding toblocks encoded according to the affine mode among encoded block A(left), block B (upper), block C (upper-right), block D (lower-left),and block E (upper-left) which neighbor the current block. Morespecifically, encoded block A (left), block B (upper), block C(upper-right), block D (lower-left), and block E (upper-left) arechecked in the listed order, and the first effective block encodedaccording to the affine mode is identified. Motion vector predictors atthe control points of the current block are calculated based on aplurality of motion vectors corresponding to the identified block.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 26B, when block A which neighbors tothe left of the current block has been encoded according to an affinemode in which two control points are used, motion vectors v₃ and v₄projected at the upper-left corner position and the upper-right cornerposition of the encoded block including block A are derived. Motionvector predictor v₀ at the upper-left corner control point of thecurrent block and motion vector predictor v₁ at the upper-right cornercontrol point of the current block are then calculated from derivedmotion vectors v₃ and v₄.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 26C, when block A which neighbors tothe left of the current block has been encoded according to an affinemode in which three control points are used, motion vectors v₃, v₄, andv₅ projected at the upper-left corner position, the upper-right cornerposition, and the lower-left corner position of the encoded blockincluding block A are derived. Motion vector predictor v₀ at theupper-left corner control point of the current block, motion vectorpredictor v₁ at the upper-right corner control point of the currentblock, and motion vector predictor v₂ at the lower-left corner controlpoint of the current block are then calculated from derived motionvectors v₃, v₄, and v₅.

It is to be noted that this method for deriving motion vector predictorsmay be used to derive motion vector predictors of the respective controlpoints of the current block in Step Sj_1 in FIG. 29 described later.

FIG. 27 is a flow chart illustrating one example of the affine mergemode.

In affine merge mode as illustrated, first, inter predictor 126 derivesMV predictors of respective control points of a current block (StepSk_1). The control points are an upper-left corner point of the currentblock and an upper-right corner point of the current block asillustrated in FIG. 25A, or an upper-left corner point of the currentblock, an upper-right corner point of the current block, and alower-left corner point of the current block as illustrated in FIG. 25B.

In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 26A, inter predictor 126 checksencoded block A (left), block B (upper), block C (upper-right), block D(lower-left), and block E (upper-left) in the listed order, andidentifies the first effective block encoded according to the affinemode.

When block A is identified and block A has two control points, asillustrated in FIG. 26B, inter predictor 126 calculates motion vector v₀at the upper-left corner control point of the current block and motionvector v₁ at the upper-right corner control point of the current blockfrom motion vectors v₃ and v₄ at the upper-left corner and theupper-right corner of the encoded block including block A. For example,inter predictor 126 calculates motion vector v₀ at the upper-left cornercontrol point of the current block and motion vector v₁ at theupper-right corner control point of the current block by projectingmotion vectors v₃ and v₄ at the upper-left corner and the upper-rightcorner of the encoded block onto the current block.

Alternatively, when block A is identified and block A has three controlpoints, as illustrated in FIG. 26C, inter predictor 126 calculatesmotion vector v₀ at the upper-left corner control point of the currentblock, motion vector v₁ at the upper-right corner control point of thecurrent block, and motion vector v₂ at the lower-left corner controlpoint of the current block from motion vectors v₃, v₄, and v₅ at theupper-left corner, the upper-right corner, and the lower-left corner ofthe encoded block including block A. For example, inter predictor 126calculates motion vector v₀ at the upper-left corner control point ofthe current block, motion vector v₁ at the upper-right corner controlpoint of the current block, and motion vector v₂ at the lower-leftcorner control point of the current block by projecting motion vectorsv₃, v₄, and v₅ at the upper-left corner, the upper-right corner, and thelower-left corner of the encoded block onto the current block.

Next, inter predictor 126 performs motion compensation of each of aplurality of sub-blocks included in the current block. In other words,inter predictor 126 calculates, for each of the plurality of sub-blocks,a motion vector of the sub-block as an affine MV, by using either (i)two motion vector predictors v₀ and v₁ and the expression (1A) describedabove or (ii) three motion vector predictors v₀, v₁, and v₂ and theexpression (1B) described above (Step Sk_2). Inter predictor 126 thenperforms motion compensation of the sub-blocks using these affine MVsand encoded reference pictures (Step Sk_3). As a result, motioncompensation of the current block is performed to generate a predictionimage of the current block.

[MV Derivation>Affine Inter Mode]

FIG. 28A is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an affine inter modein which two control points are used.

In the affine inter mode, as illustrated in FIG. 28A, a motion vectorselected from motion vectors of encoded block A, block B, and block Cwhich neighbor the current block is used as motion vector predictor v₀at the upper-left corner control point of the current block. Likewise, amotion vector selected from motion vectors of encoded block D and blockE which neighbor the current block is used as motion vector predictor v₁at the upper-right corner control point of the current block.

FIG. 28B is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an affine inter modein which three control points are used.

In the affine inter mode, as illustrated in FIG. 28B, a motion vectorselected from motion vectors of encoded block A, block B, and block Cwhich neighbor the current block is used as motion vector predictor v₀at the upper-left corner control point of the current block. Likewise, amotion vector selected from motion vectors of encoded block D and blockE which neighbor the current block is used as motion vector predictor v₁at the upper-right corner control point of the current block.Furthermore, a motion vector selected from motion vectors of encodedblock F and block G which neighbor the current block is used as motionvector predictor v₂ at the lower-left corner control point of thecurrent block.

FIG. 29 is a flow chart illustrating one example of an affine intermode.

In the affine inter mode as illustrated, first, inter predictor 126derives MV predictors (v₀, v₁) or (v₀, v₁, v₂) of respective two orthree control points of a current block (Step Sj_1). The control pointsare an upper-left corner point of the current block and an upper-rightcorner point of the current block as illustrated in FIG. 25A, or anupper-left corner point of the current block, an upper-right cornerpoint of the current block, and a lower-left corner point of the currentblock as illustrated in FIG. 25B.

In other words, inter predictor 126 derives the motion vector predictors(v₀, v₁) or (v₀, v₁, v₂) of respective two or three control points ofthe current block by selecting motion vectors of any of the blocks amongencoded blocks in the vicinity of the respective control points of thecurrent block illustrated in either FIG. 28A or FIG. 28B. At this time,inter predictor 126 encodes, in a stream, motion vector predictorselection information for identifying the selected two motion vectors.

For example, inter predictor 126 may determine, using a cost evaluationor the like, the block from which a motion vector as a motion vectorpredictor at a control point is selected from among encoded blocksneighboring the current block, and may describe, in a bitstream, a flagindicating which motion vector predictor has been selected.

Next, inter predictor 126 performs motion estimation (Step Sj_3 andSj_4) while updating a motion vector predictor selected or derived inStep Sj_1 (Step Sj_2). In other words, inter predictor 126 calculates,as an affine MV, a motion vector of each of sub-blocks which correspondsto an updated motion vector predictor, using either the expression (1A)or expression (1B) described above (Step Sj_3). Inter predictor 126 thenperforms motion compensation of the sub-blocks using these affine MVsand encoded reference pictures (Step Sj_4). As a result, for example,inter predictor 126 determines the motion vector predictor which yieldsthe smallest cost as the motion vector at a control point in a motionestimation loop (Step Sj_5). At this time, inter predictor 126 furtherencodes, in the stream, the difference value between the determined MVand the motion vector predictor as an MV difference.

Lastly, inter predictor 126 generates a prediction image for the currentblock by performing motion compensation of the current block using thedetermined MV and the encoded reference picture (Step Sj_6).

[MV Derivation>Affine Inter Mode]

When affine modes in which different numbers of control points (forexample, two and three control points) are used may be switched andsignaled at the CU level, the number of control points in an encodedblock and the number of control points in a current block may bedifferent from each other. FIG. 30A and FIG. 30B are conceptual diagramsfor illustrating methods for deriving motion vector predictors atcontrol points when the number of control points in an encoded block andthe number of control points in a current block are different from eachother.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 30A, when a current block has threecontrol points at the upper-left corner, the upper-right corner, and thelower-left corner, and block A which neighbors to the left of thecurrent block has been encoded according to an affine mode in which twocontrol points are used, motion vectors v₃ and v₄ projected at theupper-left corner position and the upper-right corner position in theencoded block including block A are derived. Motion vector predictor v₀at the upper-left corner control point of the current block and motionvector predictor v₁ at the upper-right corner control point of thecurrent block are then calculated from derived motion vectors v₃ and v₄.Furthermore, motion vector predictor v₂ at the lower-left corner controlpoint is calculated from derived motion vectors v₀ and v₁.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 30B, when a current block has twocontrol points at the upper-left corner and the upper-right corner, andblock A which neighbors to the left of the current block has beenencoded according to the affine mode in which three control points areused, motion vectors v₃, v₄, and v₅ projected at the upper-left cornerposition, the upper-right corner position, and the lower-left cornerposition in the encoded block including block A are derived. Motionvector predictor v₀ at the upper-left corner control point of thecurrent block and motion vector predictor v₁ at the upper-right cornercontrol point of the current block are then calculated from derivedmotion vectors v₃, v₄, and v₅.

It is to be noted that this method for deriving motion vector predictorsmay be used to derive motion vector predictors of the respective controlpoints of the current block in Step Sj_1 in FIG. 29 .

[MV Derivation>DMVR]

FIG. 31A is a flow chart illustrating a relationship between the mergemode and DMVR.

Inter predictor 126 derives a motion vector of a current block accordingto the merge mode (Step Sl_1). Next, inter predictor 126 determineswhether to perform estimation of a motion vector, that is, motionestimation (Step Sl_2). Here, when determining not to perform motionestimation (No in Step Sl_2), inter predictor 126 determines the motionvector derived in Step Sl_1 as the final motion vector for the currentblock (Step Sl_4). In other words, in this case, the motion vector ofthe current block is determined according to the merge mode.

When determining to perform motion estimation in Step Sl_1 (Yes in StepSl_2), inter predictor 126 derives the final motion vector for thecurrent block by estimating a surrounding region of the referencepicture specified by the motion vector derived in Step Sl_1 (Step Sl_3).In other words, in this case, the motion vector of the current block isdetermined according to the DMVR.

FIG. 31B is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example of a DMVRprocess for determining an MV.

First, (for example, in merge mode) the best Motion Vector Predictor(MVP) which has been set to the current block is determined to be an MVcandidate. A reference pixel is identified from a first referencepicture (L0) which is an encoded picture in the L0 direction accordingto an MV candidate (L0). Likewise, a reference pixel is identified froma second reference picture (L1) which is an encoded picture in the L1direction according to an MV candidate (L1). A template is generated bycalculating an average of these reference pixels.

Next, each of the surrounding regions of MV candidates of the firstreference picture (L0) and the second reference picture (L1) areestimated, and the MV which yields the smallest cost is determined to bethe final MV. It is to be noted that the cost value may be calculated,for example, using a difference value between each of the pixel valuesin the template and a corresponding one of the pixel values in theestimation region, the values of MV candidates, etc.

It is to be noted that the processes, configurations, and operationsdescribed here typically are basically common between the encoder and adecoder to be described later.

Exactly the same example processes described here do not always need tobe performed. Any process for enabling derivation of the final MV byestimation in surrounding regions of MV candidates may be used.

[Motion Compensation>BIO/OBMC]

Motion compensation involves a mode for generating a prediction image,and correcting the prediction image. The mode is, for example, BIO andOBMC to be described later.

FIG. 32 is a flow chart illustrating one example of generation of aprediction image.

Inter predictor 126 generates a prediction image (Step Sm_1), andcorrects the prediction image, for example, according to any of themodes described above (Step Sm_2).

FIG. 33 is a flow chart illustrating another example of generation of aprediction image.

Inter predictor 126 determines a motion vector of a current block (StepSn_1). Next, inter predictor 126 generates a prediction image (StepSn_2), and determines whether to perform a correction process (StepSn_3). Here, when determining to perform a correction process (Yes inStep Sn_3), inter predictor 126 generates the final prediction image bycorrecting the prediction image (Step Sn_4). When determining not toperform a correction process (No in Step Sn_3), inter predictor 126outputs the prediction image as the final prediction image withoutcorrecting the prediction image (Step Sn_5).

In addition, motion compensation involves a mode for correcting aluminance of a prediction image when generating the prediction image.The mode is, for example, LIC to be described later.

FIG. 34 is a flow chart illustrating another example of generation of aprediction image.

Inter predictor 126 derives a motion vector of a current block (StepSo_1). Next, inter predictor 126 determines whether to perform aluminance correction process (Step So_2). Here, when determining toperform a luminance correction process (Yes in Step So_2), interpredictor 126 generates the prediction image while performing aluminance correction process (Step So_3). In other words, the predictionimage is generated using LIC. When determining not to perform aluminance correction process (No in Step So_2), inter predictor 126generates a prediction image by performing normal motion compensationwithout performing a luminance correction process (Step So_4).

[Motion Compensation>OBMC]

It is to be noted that an inter prediction signal may be generated usingmotion information for a neighboring block in addition to motioninformation for the current block obtained from motion estimation. Morespecifically, the inter prediction signal may be generated in units of asub-block in the current block by performing a weighted addition of aprediction signal based on motion information obtained from motionestimation (in the reference picture) and a prediction signal based onmotion information for a neighboring block (in the current picture).Such inter prediction (motion compensation) is also referred to asoverlapped block motion compensation (OBMC).

In OBMC mode, information indicating a sub-block size for OBMC (referredto as, for example, an OBMC block size) may be signaled at the sequencelevel. Moreover, information indicating whether to apply the OBMC mode(referred to as, for example, an OBMC flag) may be signaled at the CUlevel. It is to be noted that the signaling of such information does notnecessarily need to be performed at the sequence level and CU level, andmay be performed at another level (for example, at the picture level,slice level, tile level, CTU level, or sub-block level).

Examples of the OBMC mode will be described in further detail. FIGS. 35and 36 are a flow chart and a conceptual diagram for illustrating anoutline of a prediction image correction process performed by an OBMCprocess.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 36 , a prediction image (Pred) is obtainedthrough normal motion compensation using a motion vector (MV) assignedto the processing target (current) block. In FIG. 36 , the arrow “MV”points a reference picture, and indicates what the current block of thecurrent picture refers to in order to obtain a prediction image.

Next, a prediction image (Pred_L) is obtained by applying a motionvector (MV_L) which has been already derived for the encoded blockneighboring to the left of the current block to the current block(re-using the motion vector for the current block). The motion vector(MV_L) is indicated by an arrow “MV_L” indicating a reference picturefrom a current block. A first correction of a prediction image isperformed by overlapping two prediction images Pred and Pred_L. Thisprovides an effect of blending the boundary between neighboring blocks.

Likewise, a prediction image (Pred_U) is obtained by applying a motionvector (MV_U) which has been already derived for the encoded blockneighboring above the current block to the current block (re-using themotion vector for the current block). The motion vector (MV_U) isindicated by an arrow “MV_U” indicating a reference picture from acurrent block. A second correction of a prediction image is performed byoverlapping the prediction image Pred_U to the prediction images (forexample, Pred and Pred_L) on which the first correction has beenperformed. This provides an effect of blending the boundary betweenneighboring blocks. The prediction image obtained by the secondcorrection is the one in which the boundary between the neighboringblocks has been blended (smoothed), and thus is the final predictionimage of the current block.

Although the above example is a two-path correction method using leftand upper neighboring blocks, it is to be noted that the correctionmethod may be three- or more-path correction method using also the rightneighboring block and/or the lower neighboring block.

It is to be noted that the region in which such overlapping is performedmay be only part of a region near a block boundary instead of the pixelregion of the entire block.

It is to be noted that the prediction image correction process accordingto OBMC for obtaining one prediction image Pred from one referencepicture by overlapping additional prediction image Pred_L and Pred_Uhave been described above. However, when a prediction image is correctedbased on a plurality of reference images, a similar process may beapplied to each of the plurality of reference pictures. In such a case,after corrected prediction images are obtained from the respectivereference pictures by performing OBMC image correction based on theplurality of reference pictures, the obtained corrected predictionimages are further overlapped to obtain the final prediction image.

It is to be noted that, in OBMC, the unit of a current block may be theunit of a prediction block or the unit of a sub-block obtained byfurther splitting the prediction block.

One example of a method for determining whether to apply an OBMC processis a method for using an obmc_flag which is a signal indicating whetherto apply an OBMC process. As one specific example, an encoder determineswhether the current block belongs to a region having complicated motion.The encoder sets the obmc_flag to a value of “1” when the block belongsto a region having complicated motion and applies an OBMC process whenencoding, and sets the obmc_flag to a value of “0” when the block doesnot belong to a region having complicated motion and encodes the blockwithout applying an OBMC process. The decoder switches betweenapplication and non-application of an OBMC process by decoding theobmc_flag written in the stream (for example, a compressed sequence) anddecoding the block by switching between the application andnon-application of the OBMC process in accordance with the flag value.

Inter predictor 126 generates one rectangular prediction image for arectangular current block in the above example. However, inter predictor126 may generate a plurality of prediction images each having a shapedifferent from a rectangle for the rectangular current block, and maycombine the plurality of prediction images to generate the finalrectangular prediction image. The shape different from a rectangle maybe, for example, a triangle.

FIG. 37 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating generation of twotriangular prediction images.

Inter predictor 126 generates a triangular prediction image byperforming motion compensation of a first partition having a triangularshape in a current block by using a first MV of the first partition, togenerate a triangular prediction image. Likewise, inter predictor 126generates a triangular prediction image by performing motioncompensation of a second partition having a triangular shape in acurrent block by using a second MV of the second partition, to generatea triangular prediction image. Inter predictor 126 then generates aprediction image having the same rectangular shape as the rectangularshape of the current block by combining these prediction images.

It is to be noted that, although the first partition and the secondpartition are triangles in the example illustrated in FIG. 37 , thefirst partition and the second partition may be trapezoids, or othershapes different from each other. Furthermore, although the currentblock includes two partitions in the example illustrated in FIG. 37 ,the current block may include three or more partitions.

In addition, the first partition and the second partition may overlapwith each other. In other words, the first partition and the secondpartition may include the same pixel region. In this case, a predictionimage for a current block may be generated using a prediction image inthe first partition and a prediction image in the second partition.

In addition, although an example in which a prediction image isgenerated for each of two partitions using inter prediction, aprediction image may be generated for at least one partition using intraprediction.

[Motion Compensation>BIO]

Next, a method for deriving a motion vector is described. First, a modefor deriving a motion vector based on a model assuming uniform linearmotion will be described. This mode is also referred to as abi-directional optical flow (BIO) mode.

FIG. 38 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating a model assuminguniform linear motion. In FIG. 38 , (vx, vy) indicates a velocityvector, and τ0 and τ1 indicate temporal distances between a currentpicture (Cur Pic) and two reference pictures (Ref0, Ref1). (MVx0, MVy0)indicate motion vectors corresponding to reference picture Ref0, and(MVx1, MVy1) indicate motion vectors corresponding to reference pictureRef1.

Here, under the assumption of uniform linear motion exhibited byvelocity vectors (v_(x), v_(y)), (MVx₀, MVy₀) and (MVx₁, MVy₁) arerepresented as (v_(x)τ₀, v_(y)τ₀) and (−v_(x)τ₁, −v_(y)τ₁),respectively, and the following optical flow equation (2) may beemployed.

[Math. 3]∂I ^((k)) /∂t+v _(x) ∂I ^((k)) /∂x+v _(y) ∂I ^((k)) /∂y=0.  (2)

Here, I(k) indicates a motion-compensated luma value of referencepicture k (k=0, 1). This optical flow equation shows that the sum of (i)the time derivative of the luma value, (ii) the product of thehorizontal velocity and the horizontal component of the spatial gradientof a reference image, and (iii) the product of the vertical velocity andthe vertical component of the spatial gradient of a reference image isequal to zero. A motion vector of each block obtained from, for example,a merge list may be corrected in units of a pixel, based on acombination of the optical flow equation and Hermite interpolation.

It is to be noted that a motion vector may be derived on the decoderside using a method other than deriving a motion vector based on a modelassuming uniform linear motion. For example, a motion vector may bederived in units of a sub-block based on motion vectors of neighboringblocks.

[Motion Compensation>LIC]

Next, an example of a mode in which a prediction image (prediction) isgenerated by using a local illumination compensation (LIC) process willbe described.

FIG. 39 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example of aprediction image generation method using a luminance correction processperformed by a LIC process.

First, an MV is derived from an encoded reference picture, and areference image corresponding to the current block is obtained.

Next, information indicating how the luma value changed between thereference picture and the current picture is extracted for the currentblock. This extraction is performed based on the luma pixel values forthe encoded left neighboring reference region (surrounding referenceregion) and the encoded upper neighboring reference region (surroundingreference region), and the luma pixel value at the correspondingposition in the reference picture specified by the derived MV. Aluminance correction parameter is calculated by using the informationindicating how the luma value changed.

The prediction image for the current block is generated by performing aluminance correction process in which the luminance correction parameteris applied to the reference image in the reference picture specified bythe MV.

It is to be noted that the shape of the surrounding reference regionillustrated in FIG. 39 is just one example; the surrounding referenceregion may have a different shape.

Moreover, although the process in which a prediction image is generatedfrom a single reference picture has been described here, cases in whicha prediction image is generated from a plurality of reference picturescan be described in the same manner. The prediction image may begenerated after performing a luminance correction process of thereference images obtained from the reference pictures in the same manneras described above.

One example of a method for determining whether to apply a LIC processis a method for using a lic_flag which is a signal indicating whether toapply the LIC process. As one specific example, the encoder determineswhether the current block belongs to a region having a luminance change.The encoder sets the lic_flag to a value of “1” when the block belongsto a region having a luminance change and applies a LIC process whenencoding, and sets the lic_flag to a value of “0” when the block doesnot belong to a region having a luminance change and encodes the currentblock without applying a LIC process. The decoder may decode thelic_flag written in the stream and decode the current block by switchingbetween application and non-application of a LIC process in accordancewith the flag value.

One example of a different method of determining whether to apply a LICprocess is a determining method in accordance with whether a LIC processwas applied to a surrounding block. In one specific example, when themerge mode is used on the current block, whether a LIC process wasapplied in the encoding of the surrounding encoded block selected uponderiving the MV in the merge mode process is determined. According tothe result, encoding is performed by switching between application andnon-application of a LIC process. It is to be noted that, also in thisexample, the same processes are applied in processes at the decoderside.

An embodiment of the luminance correction (LIC) process described withreference to FIG. 39 is described in detail below.

First, inter predictor 126 derives a motion vector for obtaining areference image corresponding to a current block to be encoded from areference picture which is an encoded picture.

Next, inter predictor 126 extracts information indicating how the lumavalue of the reference picture has been changed to the luma value of thecurrent picture, using the luma pixel value of an encoded surroundingreference region which neighbors to the left of or above the currentblock and the luma value in the corresponding position in the referencepicture specified by a motion vector, and calculates a luminancecorrection parameter. For example, it is assumed that the luma pixelvalue of a given pixel in the surrounding reference region in thecurrent picture is p0, and that the luma pixel value of the pixelcorresponding to the given pixel in the surrounding reference region inthe reference picture is p1. Inter predictor 126 calculates coefficientsA and B for optimizing A×p1+B=p0 as the luminance correction parameterfor a plurality of pixels in the surrounding reference region.

Next, inter predictor 126 performs a luminance correction process usingthe luminance correction parameter for the reference image in thereference picture specified by the motion vector, to generate aprediction image for the current block. For example, it is assumed thatthe luma pixel value in the reference image is p2, and that theluminance-corrected luma pixel value of the prediction image is p3.Inter predictor 126 generates the prediction image after being subjectedto the luminance correction process by calculating A× p2+B=p3 for eachof the pixels in the reference image.

It is to be noted that the shape of the surrounding reference regionillustrated in FIG. 39 is one example; a different shape other than theshape of the surrounding reference region may be used. In addition, partof the surrounding reference region illustrated in FIG. 39 may be used.For example, a region having a determined number of pixels extractedfrom each of an upper neighboring pixel and a left neighboring pixel maybe used as a surrounding reference region. In addition, the surroundingreference region is not limited to a region which neighbors the currentblock, and may be a region which does not neighbor the current block.The determined number of pixels may be predetermined.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 39 , the surrounding reference regionin the reference picture is a region specified by a motion vector in acurrent picture, from a surrounding reference region in the currentpicture. However, a region specified by another motion vector is alsopossible. For example, the other motion vector may be a motion vector ina surrounding reference region in the current picture.

Although operations performed by encoder 100 have been described here,it is to be noted that decoder 200 typically performs similaroperations.

It is to be noted that the LIC process may be applied not only to theluma but also to chroma. At this time, a correction parameter may bederived individually for each of Y, Cb, and Cr, or a common correctionparameter may be used for any of Y, Cb, and Cr.

In addition, the LIC process may be applied in units of a sub-block. Forexample, a correction parameter may be derived using a surroundingreference region in a current sub-block and a surrounding referenceregion in a reference sub-block in a reference picture specified by anMV of the current sub-block.

[Prediction Controller]

Inter predictor 128 selects one of an intra prediction signal (a signaloutput from intra predictor 124) and an inter prediction signal (asignal output from inter predictor 126), and outputs the selected signalto subtractor 104 and adder 116 as a prediction signal.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , in various kinds of encoder examples,prediction controller 128 may output a prediction parameter which isinput to entropy encoder 110. Entropy encoder 110 may generate anencoded bitstream (or a sequence), based on the prediction parameterwhich is input from prediction controller 128 and quantized coefficientswhich are input from quantizer 108. The prediction parameter may be usedin a decoder. The decoder may receive and decode the encoded bitstream,and perform the same processes as the prediction processes performed byintra predictor 124, inter predictor 126, and prediction controller 128.The prediction parameter may include (i) a selection prediction signal(for example, a motion vector, a prediction type, or a prediction modeused by intra predictor 124 or inter predictor 126), or (ii) an optionalindex, a flag, or a value which is based on a prediction processperformed in each of intra predictor 124, inter predictor 126, andprediction controller 128, or which indicates the prediction process.

Mounting Example of Encoder

FIG. 40 is a block diagram illustrating a mounting example of encoder100. Encoder 100 includes processor a1 and memory a2. For example, theplurality of constituent elements of encoder 100 illustrated in FIG. 1are mounted on processor a1 and memory a2 illustrated in FIG. 40 .

Processor a1 is circuitry which performs information processing and isaccessible to memory a2. For example, processor a1 is dedicated orgeneral electronic circuitry which encodes an image. Processor a1 may bea processor such as a CPU. In addition, processor a1 may be an aggregateof a plurality of electronic circuits. In addition, for example,processor a1 may take the roles of two or more constituent elements outof the plurality of constituent elements of encoder 100 illustrated inFIG. 1 , etc.

Memory a2 is dedicated or general memory for storing information that isused by processor a1 to encode an image. Memory a2 may be electroniccircuitry, and may be connected to processor a1. In addition, memory a2may be included in processor a1. In addition, memory a2 may be anaggregate of a plurality of electronic circuits. In addition, memory a2may be a magnetic disc, an optical disc, or the like, or may berepresented as a storage, a recording medium, or the like. In addition,memory a2 may be non-volatile memory, or volatile memory.

For example, memory a2 may store an image to be encoded or a bitstreamcorresponding to an encoded image. In addition, memory a2 may store aprogram for causing processor a1 to encode an image.

In addition, for example, memory a2 may take the roles of two or moreconstituent elements for storing information out of the plurality ofconstituent elements of encoder 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 , etc. Forexample, memory a2 may take the roles of block memory 118 and framememory 122 illustrated in FIG. 1 . More specifically, memory a2 maystore a reconstructed block, a reconstructed picture, etc.

It is to be noted that, in encoder 100, all of the plurality ofconstituent elements indicated in FIG. 1 , etc. may not be implemented,and all the processes described above may not be performed. Part of theconstituent elements indicated in FIG. 1 , etc. may be included inanother device, or part of the processes described above may beperformed by another device.

[Decoder]

Next, a decoder capable of decoding an encoded signal (encodedbitstream) output, for example, from encoder 100 described above will bedescribed. FIG. 41 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration ofdecoder 200 according to an embodiment. Decoder 200 is an image decoderwhich decodes an image in units of a block.

As illustrated in FIG. 41 , decoder 200 includes entropy decoder 202,inverse quantizer 204, inverse transformer 206, adder 208, block memory210, loop filter 212, frame memory 214, intra predictor 216, interpredictor 218, and prediction controller 220.

Decoder 200 is implemented as, for example, a generic processor andmemory. In this case, when a software program stored in the memory isexecuted by the processor, the processor functions as entropy decoder202, inverse quantizer 204, inverse transformer 206, adder 208, loopfilter 212, intra predictor 216, inter predictor 218, and predictioncontroller 220. Alternatively, decoder 200 may be implemented as one ormore dedicated electronic circuits corresponding to entropy decoder 202,inverse quantizer 204, inverse transformer 206, adder 208, loop filter212, intra predictor 216, inter predictor 218, and prediction controller220.

Hereinafter, an overall flow of processes performed by decoder 200 isdescribed, and then each of constituent elements included in decoder 200will be described.

[Overall Flow of Decoding Process]

FIG. 42 is a flow chart illustrating one example of an overall decodingprocess performed by decoder 200.

First, entropy decoder 202 of decoder 200 identifies a splitting patternof a block having a fixed size (for example, 128×128 pixels) (StepSp_1). This splitting pattern is a splitting pattern selected by encoder100. Decoder 200 then performs processes of Step Sp_2 to Sp_6 for eachof a plurality of blocks of the splitting pattern.

In other words, entropy decoder 202 decodes (specifically,entropy-decodes) encoded quantized coefficients and a predictionparameter of a current block to be decoded (also referred to as acurrent block) (Step Sp_2).

Next, inverse quantizer 204 performs inverse quantization of theplurality of quantized coefficients and inverse transformer 206 performsinverse transform of the result, to restore a plurality of predictionresiduals (that is, a difference block) (Step Sp_3).

Next, the prediction processor including all or part of intra predictor216, inter predictor 218, and prediction controller 220 generates aprediction signal (also referred to as a prediction block) of thecurrent block (Step Sp_4).

Next, adder 208 adds the prediction block to the difference block togenerate a reconstructed image (also referred to as a decoded imageblock) of the current block (Step Sp_5).

When the reconstructed image is generated, loop filter 212 performsfiltering of the reconstructed image (Step Sp_6).

Decoder 200 then determines whether decoding of the entire picture hasbeen finished (Step Sp_7). When determining that the decoding has notyet been finished (No in Step Sp_7), decoder 200 repeatedly executes theprocesses starting with Step Sp_1.

As illustrated, the processes of Steps Sp_1 to Sp_7 are performedsequentially by decoder 200. Alternatively, two or more of the processesmay be performed in parallel, the processing order of the two or more ofthe processes may be modified, etc.

[Entropy Decoder]

Entropy decoder 202 entropy decodes an encoded bitstream. Morespecifically, for example, entropy decoder 202 arithmetic decodes anencoded bitstream into a binary signal. Entropy decoder 202 thendebinarizes the binary signal. With this, entropy decoder 202 outputsquantized coefficients of each block to inverse quantizer 204. Entropydecoder 202 may output a prediction parameter included in an encodedbitstream (see FIG. 1 ) to intra predictor 216, inter predictor 218, andprediction controller 220. Intra predictor 216, inter predictor 218, andprediction controller 220 in an embodiment are capable of executing thesame prediction processes as those performed by intra predictor 124,inter predictor 126, and prediction controller 128 at the encoder side.

[Inverse Quantizer]

Inverse quantizer 204 inverse quantizes quantized coefficients of ablock to be decoded (hereinafter referred to as a current block) whichare inputs from entropy decoder 202. More specifically, inversequantizer 204 inverse quantizes quantized coefficients of the currentblock, based on quantization parameters corresponding to the quantizedcoefficients. Inverse quantizer 204 then outputs the inverse quantizedtransform coefficients of the current block to inverse transformer 206.

[Inverse Transformer]

Inverse transformer 206 restores prediction errors by inversetransforming the transform coefficients which are inputs from inversequantizer 204.

For example, when information parsed from an encoded bitstream indicatesthat EMT or AMT is to be applied (for example, when an AMT flag istrue), inverse transformer 206 inverse transforms the transformcoefficients of the current block based on information indicating theparsed transform type.

Moreover, for example, when information parsed from an encoded bitstreamindicates that NSST is to be applied, inverse transformer 206 applies asecondary inverse transform to the transform coefficients.

[Adder]

Adder 208 reconstructs the current block by adding prediction errorswhich are inputs from inverse transformer 206 and prediction sampleswhich are inputs from prediction controller 220. Adder 208 then outputsthe reconstructed block to block memory 210 and loop filter 212.

[Block Memory]

Block memory 210 is storage for storing blocks in a picture to bedecoded (hereinafter referred to as a current picture) and to bereferred to in intra prediction. More specifically, block memory 210stores reconstructed blocks output from adder 208.

[Loop Filter]

Loop filter 212 applies a loop filter to blocks reconstructed by adder208, and outputs the filtered reconstructed blocks to frame memory 214,display device, etc.

When information indicating ON or OFF of an ALF parsed from an encodedbitstream indicates that an ALF is ON, one filter from among a pluralityof filters is selected based on direction and activity of localgradients, and the selected filter is applied to the reconstructedblock.

[Frame Memory]

Frame memory 214 is, for example, storage for storing reference picturesfor use in inter prediction, and is also referred to as a frame buffer.More specifically, frame memory 214 stores a reconstructed blockfiltered by loop filter 212.

[Prediction Processor (Intra Predictor, Inter Predictor, PredictionController)]

FIG. 43 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a process performedby a prediction processor of decoder 200. It is to be noted that theprediction processor includes all or part of the following constituentelements: intra predictor 216; inter predictor 218; and predictioncontroller 220.

The prediction processor generates a prediction image of a current block(Step Sq_1). This prediction image is also referred to as a predictionsignal or a prediction block. It is to be noted that the predictionsignal is, for example, an intra prediction signal or an interprediction signal. Specifically, the prediction processor generates theprediction image of the current block using a reconstructed image whichhas been already obtained through generation of a prediction block,generation of a difference block, generation of a coefficient block,restoring of a difference block, and generation of a decoded imageblock.

The reconstructed image may be, for example, an image in a referencepicture, or an image of a decoded block in a current picture which isthe picture including the current block. The decoded block in thecurrent picture is, for example, a neighboring block of the currentblock.

FIG. 44 is a flow chart illustrating another example of a processperformed by the prediction processor of decoder 200.

The prediction processor determines either a method or a mode forgenerating a prediction image (Step Sr_1). For example, the method ormode may be determined based on, for example, a prediction parameter,etc.

When determining a first method as a mode for generating a predictionimage, the prediction processor generates a prediction image accordingto the first method (Step Sr_2 a). When determining a second method as amode for generating a prediction image, the prediction processorgenerates a prediction image according to the second method (Step Sr_2b). When determining a third method as a mode for generating aprediction image, the prediction processor generates a prediction imageaccording to the third method (Step Sr_2 c).

The first method, the second method, and the third method may bemutually different methods for generating a prediction image. Each ofthe first to third methods may be an inter prediction method, an intraprediction method, or another prediction method. The above-describedreconstructed image may be used in these prediction methods.

[Intra Predictor]

Intra predictor 216 generates a prediction signal (intra predictionsignal) by performing intra prediction by referring to a block or blocksin the current picture stored in block memory 210, based on the intraprediction mode parsed from the encoded bitstream. More specifically,intra predictor 216 generates an intra prediction signal by performingintra prediction by referring to samples (for example, luma and/orchroma values) of a block or blocks neighboring the current block, andthen outputs the intra prediction signal to prediction controller 220.

It is to be noted that when an intra prediction mode in which a lumablock is referred to in intra prediction of a chroma block is selected,intra predictor 216 may predict the chroma component of the currentblock based on the luma component of the current block.

Moreover, when information parsed from an encoded bitstream indicatesthat PDPC is to be applied, intra predictor 216 corrects intra-predictedpixel values based on horizontal/vertical reference pixel gradients.

[Inter Predictor]

Inter predictor 218 predicts the current block by referring to areference picture stored in frame memory 214. Inter prediction isperformed in units of a current block or a sub-block (for example, a 4×4block) in the current block. For example, inter predictor 218 generatesan inter prediction signal of the current block or the sub-block byperforming motion compensation by using motion information (for example,a motion vector) parsed from an encoded bitstream (for example, aprediction parameter output from entropy decoder 202), and outputs theinter prediction signal to prediction controller 220.

It is to be noted that when the information parsed from the encodedbitstream indicates that the OBMC mode is to be applied, inter predictor218 generates the inter prediction signal using motion information of aneighboring block in addition to motion information of the current blockobtained from motion estimation.

Moreover, when the information parsed from the encoded bitstreamindicates that the FRUC mode is to be applied, inter predictor 218derives motion information by performing motion estimation in accordancewith the pattern matching method (bilateral matching or templatematching) parsed from the encoded bitstream. Inter predictor 218 thenperforms motion compensation (prediction) using the derived motioninformation.

Moreover, when the BIO mode is to be applied, inter predictor 218derives a motion vector based on a model assuming uniform linear motion.Moreover, when the information parsed from the encoded bitstreamindicates that the affine motion compensation prediction mode is to beapplied, inter predictor 218 derives a motion vector of each sub-blockbased on motion vectors of neighboring blocks.

[MV Derivation>Normal Inter Mode]

When information parsed from an encoded bitstream indicates that thenormal inter mode is to be applied, inter predictor 218 derives an MVbased on the information parsed from the encoded bitstream and performsmotion compensation (prediction) using the MV.

FIG. 45 is a flow chart illustrating an example of inter prediction innormal inter mode in decoder 200.

Inter predictor 218 of decoder 200 performs motion compensation for eachblock. Inter predictor 218 obtains a plurality of MV candidates for acurrent block based on information such as MVs of a plurality of decodedblocks temporally or spatially surrounding the current block (StepSs_1). In other words, inter predictor 218 generates an MV candidatelist.

Next, inter predictor 218 extracts N (an integer of 2 or larger) MVcandidates from the plurality of MV candidates obtained in Step Ss_1, asmotion vector predictor candidates (also referred to as MV predictorcandidates) according to a determined priority order (Step Ss_2). It isto be noted that the priority order may be determined in advance foreach of the N MV predictor candidates.

Next, inter predictor 218 decodes motion vector predictor selectioninformation from an input stream (that is, an encoded bitstream), andselects, one MV predictor candidate from the N MV predictor candidatesusing the decoded motion vector predictor selection information, as amotion vector (also referred to as an MV predictor) of the current block(Step Ss_3).

Next, inter predictor 218 decodes an MV difference from the inputstream, and derives an MV for a current block by adding a differencevalue which is the decoded MV difference and a selected motion vectorpredictor (Step Ss_4).

Lastly, inter predictor 218 generates a prediction image for the currentblock by performing motion compensation of the current block using thederived MV and the decoded reference picture (Step Ss_5).

[Prediction Controller]

Prediction controller 220 selects either the intra prediction signal orthe inter prediction signal, and outputs the selected prediction signalto adder 208. As a whole, the configurations, functions, and processesof prediction controller 220, intra predictor 216, and inter predictor218 at the decoder side may correspond to the configurations, functions,and processes of prediction controller 128, intra predictor 124, andinter predictor 126 at the encoder side.

Mounting Example of Decoder

FIG. 46 is a block diagram illustrating a mounting example of decoder200. Decoder 200 includes processor b1 and memory b2. For example, theplurality of constituent elements of decoder 200 illustrated in FIG. 41are mounted on processor b1 and memory b2 illustrated in FIG. 46 .

Processor b1 is circuitry which performs information processing and isaccessible to memory b2. For example, processor b1 is dedicated orgeneral electronic circuitry which decodes an image (that is, an encodedbitstream). Processor b1 may be a processor such as a CPU. In addition,processor b1 may be an aggregate of a plurality of electronic circuits.In addition, for example, processor b1 may take the roles of two or moreconstituent elements out of the plurality of constituent elements ofdecoder 200 illustrated in FIG. 41 , etc.

Memory b2 is dedicated or general memory for storing information that isused by processor b1 to decode an encoded bitstream. Memory b2 may beelectronic circuitry, and may be connected to processor b1. In addition,memory b2 may be included in processor b1. In addition, memory b2 may bean aggregate of a plurality of electronic circuits. In addition, memoryb2 may be a magnetic disc, an optical disc, or the like, or may berepresented as a storage, a recording medium, or the like. In addition,memory b2 may be a non-volatile memory, or a volatile memory.

For example, memory b2 may store an image or a bitstream. In addition,memory b2 may store a program for causing processor b1 to decode anencoded bitstream.

In addition, for example, memory b2 may take the roles of two or moreconstituent elements for storing information out of the plurality ofconstituent elements of decoder 200 illustrated in FIG. 41 , etc.Specifically, memory b2 may take the roles of block memory 210 and framememory 214 illustrated in FIG. 41 . More specifically, memory b2 maystore a reconstructed block, a reconstructed picture, etc.

It is to be noted that, in decoder 200, all of the plurality ofconstituent elements illustrated in FIG. 41 , etc. may not beimplemented, and all the processes described above may not be performed.Part of the constituent elements indicated in FIG. 41 , etc. may beincluded in another device, or part of the processes described above maybe performed by another device.

Definitions of Terms

The respective terms may be defined as indicated below as examples.

A picture is an array of luma samples in monochrome format or an arrayof luma samples and two corresponding arrays of chroma samples in 4:2:0,4:2:2, and 4:4:4 color format. A picture may be either a frame or afield.

A frame is the composition of a top field and a bottom field, wheresample rows 0, 2, 4, . . . originate from the top field and sample rows1, 3, 5, . . . originate from the bottom field.

A slice is an integer number of coding tree units contained in oneindependent slice segment and all subsequent dependent slice segments(if any) that precede the next independent slice segment (if any) withinthe same access unit.

A tile is a rectangular region of coding tree blocks within a particulartile column and a particular tile row in a picture. A tile may be arectangular region of the frame that is intended to be able to bedecoded and encoded independently, although loop-filtering across tileedges may still be applied.

A block is an M×N (M-column by N-row) array of samples, or an M×N arrayof transform coefficients. A block may be a square or rectangular regionof pixels including one Luma and two Chroma matrices.

A coding tree unit (CTU) may be a coding tree block of luma samples of apicture that has three sample arrays, or two corresponding coding treeblocks of chroma samples. Alternatively, a CTU may be a coding treeblock of samples of one of a monochrome picture and a picture that iscoded using three separate color planes and syntax structures used tocode the samples.

A super block may be a square block of 64×64 pixels that consists ofeither 1 or 2 mode info blocks or is recursively partitioned into four32×32 blocks, which themselves can be further partitioned.

[Description of DMVR]

There is dynamic motion vector refreshing (DMVR) as one MV derivationtechnique.

For example, in the DMVR illustrated by FIG. 30 and FIG. 31 , first,inter predictor 120 derives an MV of a current block in a merge mode inwhich an MV difference is not encoded, in an inter-picture predictionmode. It should be noted that instead of the merge mode, a mode in whichan MV difference is encoded may be used in the inter-picture predictionmode. Moreover, an MV selected from a list generated in the merge modeor the mode in which the MV difference is encoded may be corrected in,for example, a bi-directional optical flow (BIO) mode to derive the MVof the current block. Here, the inter-picture prediction mode isprediction derived by a method that depends on data elements (e.g.,sample values or motion vectors) of at least one reference picture.Next, inter predictor 126 estimates a surrounding region of the derivedMV (also referred to as initial MV) to derive an MV that yields thesmallest cost as a final MV. As stated above, in the DMVR, the MV of thecurrent block is derived as the initial MV and the surrounding region ofthe derived initial MV is estimated to correct the initial MV in theinter-picture prediction mode.

The following primarily describes the operation of decoder 200, but thesame holds true for the operation of encoder 100.

FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating an example of motion estimation on adecoder 200 side in the DMVR.

In the example shown by FIG. 47 , reference blocks of first referencepicture (L0) and second reference picture (L1) in L0 direction and L1direction from a current picture are identified based on an initial MVof a current block derived in the merge mode, and the surroundingregions of the identified reference blocks are estimated.

It should be noted that the initial MV of the current block is derivedbased on information parsed from a bitstream on the decoder 200 side.Moreover, InitMV_L0 and InitMV_L1 in FIG. 47 indicate an initial MV fora reference block (L0) of a first reference picture (L0) and an initialMV for a reference block (L1) of a second reference picture (L1),respectively. More specifically, InitMV_L0 shown by FIG. 47 indicates aninitial MV having, as an initial point, the position of a pixel in theupper left corner of the current block and, as an end point, theposition of a pixel in the upper left corner of the reference block (L0)of the first reference picture (L0) corresponding to the position of thepixel in the upper left corner of the current block. Likewise, InitMV_L1shown by FIG. 47 indicates an initial MV having, as an initial point,the position of the pixel in the upper left corner of the current blockand, as an end point, the position of a pixel in the upper left cornerof the reference block (L1) of the second reference picture (L1)corresponding to the position of the pixel in the upper left corner ofthe current block.

When inter predictor 218 estimates the surrounding regions of theidentified reference blocks, first, inter predictor 218 sets anestimation position for the first reference picture (L0) to set anestimation position for the second reference picture (L1). In theexample shown by FIG. 47 , a motion vector difference from an initialposition (a pixel position) in the reference block (L0) indicated by theinitial MV (InitMV_L0) to the set estimation position (a pixel position)in the surrounding region of the reference block (L0) is denoted asMVd_L0. In this case, the estimation position for the second referencepicture (L1) is a position set by MVd_L1 that is a motion vectordifference obtained by mirroring MVd_L0, relative to an initial positionin the reference block (L1) indicated by the initial MV (InitMV_L1). Inother words, inter predictor 218 sets, as the estimation positions, thepositions of the surrounding regions of the reference blocks symmetricabout, as origins, the initial positions in the reference blocksindicated by the initial MVs, in the first reference picture (L0) andthe second reference picture (L1).

Next, inter predictor 218 evaluates a cost of each of sequentially setestimation positions to estimate an estimation position that yields thesmallest cost, the cost being, for example, the total sum of absolutedifferences (SADs) between pixel values at the estimation positions in ablock.

FIG. 48A to FIG. 48C are each a diagram illustrating an example of anestimation algorithm in motion estimation on the decoder 200 side in theDMVR. In the case where the motion estimation is divided into threestages (step 1 to step 3), FIG. 48A shows an estimation algorithm thatperforms step 1, FIG. 48B shows an estimation algorithm that performsstep 2, and FIG. 48C shows an estimation algorithm that performs step 3.

FIG. 48A shows an initial position (a pixel position) in a referenceblock (L0) indicated by a derived initial MV, using the black circle,and shows eight surrounding positions (pixel positions) neighboring theinitial position as a surrounding region of the reference block (L0),using the eight hatched circles.

To put it another way, in step 1 shown by FIG. 48A, inter predictor 218calculates a cost at each of the eight surrounding pixel positionsneighboring the initial pixel position in the reference block indicatedby the initial MV. In the example shown by FIG. 48A, inter predictor 218calculates, as a cost, the total sum of absolute differences (SADs)between pixel values at each of the eight pixel positions in the block.Inter predictor 218 shifts the center of an estimation position in adirection of a pixel position that yields the smallest cost among theeight pixel positions.

It should be noted that when a pixel position, which yields the smallestcost, is the initial pixel position, step 2 shown by FIG. 48B is skippedand step 3 shown by FIG. 48C is performed subsequently.

FIG. 48B shows the shifted center of the estimation position (the pixelposition) using the black circle, and shows eight surrounding positions(pixel positions) neighboring the center of the estimation position,using the eight hatched circles.

In other words, in step 2 shown by FIG. 48B, inter predictor 218calculates a cost at each of the eight surrounding pixel positions,using a position (a pixel position) shifted as the result of step 1 asthe center of the estimation position. Inter predictor 218 furthershifts the center of the estimation position in a direction of a pixelposition that yields the smallest cost among the eight pixel positions,and estimates the center of the estimation position (the pixel position)that yields the smallest cost, by performing step 2 again. On the otherhand, when the pixel position that yields the smallest cost is thecenter of the estimation position, inter predictor 218 determines, as amotion vector difference, a difference between the position indicated bythe initial MV and the center of the estimation position that yields thesmallest cost, and proceeds to step 3.

FIG. 48C shows, using the black circle, the pixel position that yieldsthe smallest cost at the center of the estimation position, and shows,using the hatched circle, a pixel position with fraction pixel accuracythat yields the smallest cost among pixel positions with fraction pixelaccuracy located on the left, right, top, and bottom of the center.

In other words, in step 3 shown by FIG. 48C, inter predictor 218calculates a cost at each of the four pixel positions with fractionpixel accuracy located on the left, right, top, and bottom of the centerof the estimation position (a pixel position with integer pixelaccuracy) determined in step 3. Then, inter predictor 218 determines apixel position with fraction pixel accuracy that yields the smallestcost among the four pixel positions with fraction pixel accuracy, anduses the pixel position as a pixel position of the final estimationresult. It should be noted that it is possible to calculate the cost ateach of the four pixel positions with fraction pixel accuracy byperforming, with 1/16 pixel accuracy, weighted addition of four vectors((0, 1), (0, −1), (−1, 0), (1, 0)) indicating the left, right, top, andbottom positions, using a cost value of the center calculated in step 2as a weight. After that, a pixel position with fraction pixel accuracythat yields the smallest cost is determined by evaluating a result ofthe weighting.

It should be noted that FIG. 47 and FIGS. 48A to 48C each show onedetailed example of the DMVR, and it goes without saying that a processdifferent from the DMVR may be performed.

[DMVR for Each Sub-block Unit according to First Aspect]

FIG. 49 is an explanatory diagram illustrating DMVR for each sub-blockunit according to a first aspect. FIG. 49 shows, using dotted frames,reference sub-blocks obtained as a result of performing motionestimation for respective sub-blocks, and shows final MVs (hereinafterreferred to as corrected MVs) obtained by correcting initial MVs usingobtained reference blocks.

Here, in the DMVR for each sub-block unit, in the intra-pictureprediction mode, an MV (an initial MV) of a current block is derived anda surrounding region of the initial MV is estimated for each sub-blockunit of sub-blocks obtained by splitting the current block to correctthe initial MV for the sub-block unit. It should be noted that the DMVRfor each sub-block unit is applied when each of the sub-blocks in thesub-block unit has a size of at least 16×16 pixels.

It should be noted that the DMVR for each sub-block unit may be appliedwhen the size of a CU in the horizontal or vertical direction is atleast N pixels (e.g., N=16). A derived initial MV of a CU or a currentblock may be used directly as an initial MV for the sub-block unit, oran initial MV for the sub-block unit may be further derived from thederived initial MV of the CU or the current block.

Moreover, a method of estimating a surrounding region of an initial MVfor each sub-block unit is similar to a method of estimating asurrounding region of an initial MV for each block unit. For example,the processes described with reference to FIG. 47 and FIGS. 48A to 48Cmay be performed, or a different process may be performed.

As stated above, motion prediction in the DMVR for each sub-block unitaccording to the first aspect is performed for each sub-block, and aprediction picture is generated by performing motion estimation for eachsub-block.

First Example of Prediction Process in First Aspect

FIG. 50 is a flow chart illustrating deblocking filtering performed byeach of encoder 100 and decoder 200 in the first aspect.

In the present aspect, in the inter-picture prediction mode, the DMVRfor each sub-block unit (sub-CU unit) is applied to current CU tocorrect a derived initial MV of current CU for the sub-block unit. Theprocess to be described below is basically common to encoder 100 anddecoder 200; the only difference is whether signals necessary for theprocess are encoded into a stream or decoded from a stream.

As shown by FIG. 50 , first, encoder 100 or decoder 200 determineswhether a mode for performing motion estimation on a surrounding regionof an initial MV for each sub-block unit to correct the initial MV hasbeen applied to current CU in the inter-picture prediction mode (S10).Here, as stated above, performing the mode for performing motionestimation on a surrounding region of an initial MV for the sub-blockunit to correct the initial MV in the inter-picture prediction mode isequivalent to performing the DMVR, for example. Moreover, a correctedinitial MV is hereinafter referred to as a corrected MV.

When encoder 100 or decoder 200 determines in step S10 that the mode hasbeen applied (YES in S10), encoder 100 or decoder 200 determines whethercorrected MVs of two neighboring sub-blocks located across a boundarysatisfy a predetermined condition (S11). Here, for example, encoder 100or decoder 200 may perform the determination of step S11 by deriving aninitial MV of each of neighboring sub-blocks for the sub-block unit andusing a corrected MV obtained by correcting the initial MV by the DMVRfor the sub-block unit.

When encoder 100 or decoder 200 determines in step S11 that thecorrected MVs of the two sub-blocks located across the boundary satisfythe predetermined condition (YES in S10), encoder 100 or decoder 200applies deblocking filtering having a predetermined strength to theboundary (also referred to as the sub-block boundary) (S12).

As stated above, the flow chart shown by FIG. 50 indicates an operationof determining whether to apply deblocking filtering based on whether,for example, a mode (the DMVR) for correcting an initial MV based onmotion prediction for each sub-block unit on the decoder 200 side hasbeen applied in the inter-picture prediction mode.

It should be noted that when it is determined to apply the deblockingfiltering after it is determined that the corrected MVs of the twosub-blocks located across the boundary satisfy the predeterminedcondition, the flow chart shown by FIG. 50 may include an operation ofdetermining a strength of the deblocking filtering to be applied. Forexample, when it is determined whether to apply the deblocking filteringin step S11, it may be determined whether a difference value between theMVs of the neighboring sub-blocks is greater than or equal to athreshold value, and a strength of the deblocking filtering to beapplied to the boundary for which the difference value is determined tobe greater than or equal to the threshold value may be determined. Whenthe deblocking filtering is applied to the boundary for which thedifference value is greater than or equal to the threshold value, thedeblocking filtering having the determined strength may be applied tothe boundary.

Moreover, in the case of a CU boundary or when another inter-pictureprediction mode for each sub-block unit such as affine prediction isperformed, encoder 100 or decoder 200 may determine whether to applydeblocking filtering, based on a process (operation) different from theflow chart shown by FIG. 50 .

Furthermore, encoder 100 or decoder 200 may switch whether to applydeblocking filtering to a sub-block boundary in accordance with a sizeof sub-blocks. For example, when sub-blocks have a size of at least16×16 pixels, encoder 100 or decoder 200 may apply deblocking filteringto all sub-block boundaries, based on the flow chart shown by FIG. 50 .In contrast, when sub-blocks have a size less than 16×16 pixels, encoder100 or decoder 200 may apply deblocking filtering to only boundaries onlattices of 16×16 pixels (i.e., block boundaries) in a picture.

Moreover, an initial MV of current CU may be an initial MV of a currentblock. In other words, in step S10, encoder 100 or decoder 200 maydetermine whether the mode (the DMVR) for performing motion estimationon a surrounding region of the initial MV for each sub-block unit tocorrect the initial MV has been applied to the current block in theinter-picture prediction mode.

Here, furthermore, encoder 100 or decoder 200 may switch whether toapply deblocking filtering to a sub-block boundary in accordance with asize of a current block. Encoder 100 or decoder 200 may determine not toperform deblocking filtering by skipping the determination on whether toapply the deblocking filtering in accordance with the size of thecurrent block (the determination in step S11). For example, in the casewhere the current block has a size in the horizontal or verticaldirection that is greater than N pixels when encoder 100 or decoder 200performs the DMVR, encoder 100 or decoder 200 may split the currentblock into sub-blocks so that the size of the current block in adirection that is greater than the N pixels becomes less than the Npixels, and may perform the DMVR. On the other hand, in the case wherethe current block has a size in the horizontal or vertical directionthat is less than the N pixels when encoder 100 or decoder 200 performsthe DMVR, encoder 100 or decoder 200 may perform the DMVR withoutsplitting the current block into sub-blocks. In this case, encoder 100or decoder 200 may skip the determination in step S11.

It should be noted that the flow chart shown by FIG. 50 is one example;part of the process shown by FIG. 50 may be removed, or a step orcondition determination not shown by FIG. 50 may be added.

Example of Conditions for Applying Deblocking Filtering

FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating one example of conditions for applyingdeblocking filtering to a sub-block boundary in the first aspect. Itshould be noted that FIG. 51 also shows one example of conditions forapplying the deblocking filtering to the CU (block) boundary shown byFIG. 10 . The detailed description of those shown by FIG. 10 is omitted.

A Bs value indicates a value of boundary strength, that is, a strengthof deblocking filtering. The Bs value shown by FIG. 51 can take one ofthree values of 2, 1, and 0. The Bs value of 2 indicates that theeffectiveness of smoothing by applying the deblocking filtering is high,and the Bs value of 1 indicates that the effectiveness of smoothing byapplying the deblocking filtering is low. In contrast, the Bs value of 0indicates that the deblocking filtering is not applied.

When an absolute value of a difference between MVs (motion vectors) oftwo sub-blocks (sub-blocks 1 and 2) located across a sub-block boundaryis greater than or equal to a threshold value, the deblocking filteringmay be applied to the sub-block boundary. Here, the threshold value isone pixel in the example shown by FIG. 51 , but the present disclosureis not limited to this. Moreover, a strength of the deblocking filteringin this case may be equal to a strength of deblocking filtering appliedto a block boundary of current CU (or a current block). It should benoted that in the example shown by FIG. 51 , the Bs value in this caseis 1 that is the same as a Bs value when an absolute value of adifference between motion vectors of two blocks located across a blockboundary is greater than or equal to one pixel.

On the other hand, in a case other than the above, that is, when theabsolute value of the difference between the MVs (the motion vectors) ofthe two sub-blocks (sub-blocks 1 and 2) located across the sub-blockboundary is less than the threshold value, the deblocking filtering neednot be applied to the sub-block boundary.

Second Example of Prediction Process in First Aspect

FIG. 52 is a flow chart illustrating deblocking filtering performed byeach of encoder 100 and decoder 200 in the first aspect. The flow chartshown by FIG. 52 is a detailed illustration of the flow chart of FIG. 50. The following describes a case in which DMVR is performed on a derivedinitial MV of a current block. FIG. 53 is a diagram illustrating oneexample of corrected MVs of neighboring sub-blocks and reference blocksin the flow chart of FIG. 52 .

As shown by FIG. 52 , first, encoder 100 or decoder 200 determineswhether a mode for performing motion estimation on a surrounding regionof an initial MV for each sub-block unit to correct the initial MV hasbeen applied to a current block in the inter-picture prediction mode(S20). In other words, encoder 100 or decoder 200 determines in step S20whether the DMVR for each sub-block unit has been applied to the currentblock.

When encoder 100 or decoder 200 determines in step S20 that the mode hasbeen applied (YES in S20), encoder 100 or decoder 200 selects twosub-blocks from sub-blocks obtained by splitting the current blocks(S21). Here, encoder 100 or decoder 200 selects, for example, Sub1 andSub2 shown by FIG. 53 as the two sub-blocks. Sub1 denotes sub-block 1,and Sub2 denotes sub-block 2.

Next, encoder 100 or decoder 200 determines whether the two sub-blocksselected in step S21 are neighboring sub-blocks (S22). Here, sinceencoder 100 or decoder 200 has selected Sub1 and Sub2 shown by FIG. 53as the two sub-blocks, encoder 100 or decoder 200 determines that thetwo sub-blocks are neighboring sub-blocks.

When encoder 100 or decoder 200 determines in step S22 that the twosub-blocks selected are the neighboring sub-blocks (YES in S22), encoder100 or decoder 200 obtains corrected MVs of the neighboring sub-blocks(S23). Here, encoder 100 or decoder 200 obtains, for example, MVsub1_L0,MVsub2_L0, MVsub1_L1, and MVsub2_L1 as the corrected MVs of theneighboring sub-blocks. MVsub1_L0 denotes a corrected MV of sub-block 1corresponding to a reference sub-block of a first reference picture (L0)in direction L0, and MVsub1_L1 denotes a corrected MV of sub-block 1corresponding to a reference sub-block of a second reference picture(L1) in direction L1. MVsub2_L0 denotes a corrected MV of sub-block 2corresponding to a reference sub-block of the first reference picture(L0) in direction L0, and MVsub2_L1 denotes a corrected MV of sub-block2 corresponding to a reference sub-block of the second reference picture(L1) in direction L1. It should be noted that when it is determined instep S22 that the two sub-blocks selected are not the neighboring blocks(NO in S22), the processing returns to step S21.

Then, encoder 100 or decoder 200 determines whether the corrected MVs ofthe two neighboring sub-blocks located across a sub-block boundarysatisfy a predetermined condition (S24). More specifically, encoder 100or decoder 200 determines whether a difference between the corrected MVsof sub-block 1 and sub-block 2 in direction L0 or direction L1 isgreater than or equal to a threshold value. In the example shown by FIG.52 and FIG. 53 , encoder 100 or decoder 200 determines whether adifference between MVsub1_L0 and MVsub2_L0 or a difference betweenMVsub1_L1 and MVsub2_L1 is greater than or equal to a threshold value.It should be noted that the threshold value is one pixel in the exampleshown by FIG. 52 , but the present disclosure is not limited to this. Athreshold value can be determined appropriately as long as the thresholdvalue is a value indicating that differences between luminance oraccuracy etc. of neighboring sub-blocks are not 0 but not close to eachother.

When encoder 100 or decoder 200 determines in step S24 that one of theabove-described differences is greater than or equal to the thresholdvalue (YES in S24), encoder 100 or decoder 200 applies deblockingfiltering having a predetermined strength to the sub-block boundary(S25). Here, when encoder 100 or decoder 200 determines in step S24 thata difference value between horizontal components or vertical componentsof the corrected MVs of the neighboring sub-blocks is greater than orequal to one pixel, as shown by FIG. 51 , encoder 100 or decoder 200 mayapply the deblocking filtering with the Bs value being regarded as 1.

Finally, encoder 100 or decoder 200 determines whether all thesub-blocks constituting the current block have been selected anddetermined (S26).

When it is determined in step S26 that all the sub-blocks constitutingthe current block have been selected and determined (YES in S26), theprocessing is ended. Otherwise (NO in step S26), the processing returnsto step S21.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S24 that none of theabove-described differences is greater than or equal to the thresholdvalue (NO in S24), the processing proceeds to step S26.

It should be noted that it may be determined in step S24 whether adifference between horizontal components of the corrected MVs ofsub-block 1 and sub-block 2 in direction L0 or direction L1 is greaterthan or equal to the threshold value. Moreover, it may be determinedwhether a difference between vertical components of the corrected MVs ofsub-block 1 and sub-block 2 in direction L0 or direction L1 is greaterthan or equal to the threshold value. To put it another way, encoder 100or decoder 200 may determine whether a difference value between ahorizontal component (or a vertical component) of MVsub1_L0 and ahorizontal component (or a vertical component) of MVsub2_L0 is greaterthan or equal to the threshold value. Furthermore, encoder 100 ordecoder 200 may determine whether a difference value between ahorizontal component (or a vertical component) of MVsub1_L1 and ahorizontal component (or a vertical component) of MVsub2_L1 is greaterthan or equal to the threshold value.

Moreover, it may be determined in step S24 whether a difference valuebetween horizontal components (or vertical components) of the correctedMVs of sub-block 1 in direction L0 and direction L1 is greater than orequal to the threshold value. In other words, encoder 100 or decoder 200may determine whether a difference value between a horizontal component(or a vertical component) of MVsub1_L0 and a horizontal component (or avertical component) of MVsub1_L1 is greater than or equal to thethreshold value.

Furthermore, it may be determined in step S24 whether a difference valuebetween horizontal components (or vertical components) of the correctedMVs of sub-block 2 in direction L0 and direction L1 is greater than orequal to the threshold value. To put it another way, encoder 100 ordecoder 200 may determine whether a difference value between ahorizontal component (or a vertical component) of MVsub2_L0 and ahorizontal component (or a vertical component) of MVsub2_L1 is greaterthan or equal to the threshold value.

Advantageous Effect of First Aspect

Performing of the DMVR for each sub-block unit results in performing ofmotion prediction or motion compensation for the sub-block unit, whichleads to obtainment of a different motion vector for each sub-block. Forthis reason, distortion that causes discontinuous pixel values may occuron a sub-block boundary depending on the magnitude of differencesbetween them.

In contrast, even when distortion that causes discontinuous pixel valuesoccurs on a sub-block boundary, encoder 100 and decoder 200 in thepresent aspect have the possibility of reducing the distortion byapplying deblocking filtering, and have the possibility of improvingimage quality.

Mounting Example of Encoder

FIG. 54 is a block diagram illustrating a mounting example of encoder100 according to the embodiment. Encoder 100 includes circuitry 160 andmemory 162. For example, the plurality of constituent elements ofencoder 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 are mounted on circuitry 160 andmemory 162 illustrated in FIG. 54 .

Circuitry 160 is circuitry which performs information processing and isaccessible to memory 162. For example, circuitry 160 is dedicated orgeneral electronic circuitry which encodes an image. Circuitry 160 maybe a processor such as a CPU. In addition, circuitry 160 may be anaggregate of a plurality of electronic circuits. In addition, forexample, circuitry 160 may take the roles of two or more constituentelements out of the plurality of constituent elements of encoder 100illustrated in FIG. 1 , etc.

Memory 162 is dedicated or general memory for storing information thatis used by processor a1 to encode an image. Memory 162 may be electroniccircuitry, and may be connected to circuitry 160. In addition, memory162 may be included in circuitry 160. In addition, memory 162 may be anaggregate of a plurality of electronic circuits. In addition, memory 162may be a magnetic disc, an optical disc, or the like, or may berepresented as a storage, a recording medium, or the like. In addition,memory 162 may be non-volatile memory, or volatile memory.

For example, memory 162 may store an image to be encoded or a bitstreamcorresponding to an encoded image. In addition, memory 162 may store aprogram for causing circuitry 160 to encode an image.

In addition, for example, memory 162 may take the roles of two or moreconstituent elements for storing information out of the plurality ofconstituent elements of encoder 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 , etc. Forexample, memory 162 may take the roles of block memory 118 and framememory 122 illustrated in FIG. 1 . More specifically, memory 162 maystore a reconstructed block, a reconstructed picture, etc.

It is to be noted that, in encoder 100, all of the plurality ofconstituent elements indicated in FIG. 1 , etc. may not be implemented,and all the processes described above may not be performed. Part of theconstituent elements indicated in FIG. 1 , etc. may be included inanother device, or part of the processes described above may beperformed by another device. In encoder 100, the prediction process inthe inter prediction mode is efficiently performed by implementing partof the constituent elements indicated in FIG. 1 etc. and performing partof the processes described above.

The following describes an operation example of encoder 100 shown byFIG. 54 . FIG. 55 is a flow chart illustrating an operation example ofencoder 100 shown by FIG. 54 . For example, when encoding an image,encoder 100 shown by FIG. 54 performs the operation shown by FIG. 55 .

Specifically, in operation, circuitry 160 of encoder 100 performs thefollowing process. In other words, first, circuitry 160 derives a motionvector of a current block by referring to at least one reference picturedifferent from a picture to which the current block belongs, andperforms a mode for estimating, for each sub-block unit of sub-blocksobtained by splitting the current block, a surrounding region of themotion vector to correct the motion vector (S311). Next, circuitry 160determines whether to apply deblocking filtering to each of boundariesbetween neighboring ones of the sub-blocks (S312). Finally, circuitry160 applies the deblocking filtering to the boundary, based on a resultof the determination (S313).

With this, even when distortion that causes discontinuous pixel valuesoccurs on a sub-block boundary, encoder 100 has the possibility ofreducing the distortion by performing the deblocking filtering, and hasthe possibility of improving image quality.

Mounting Example of Decoder

FIG. 56 is a block diagram illustrating a mounting example of decoder200 according to the embodiment. Decoder 200 includes circuitry 260 andmemory 262. For example, the plurality of constituent elements ofdecoder 200 illustrated in FIG. 41 are mounted on circuitry 260 andmemory 262 illustrated in FIG. 56 .

Circuitry 260 is circuitry which performs information processing and isaccessible to memory 262. For example, circuitry 260 is dedicated orgeneral electronic circuitry which decodes an image. Circuitry 260 maybe a processor such as a CPU. In addition, circuitry 260 may be anaggregate of a plurality of electronic circuits. In addition, forexample, circuitry 260 may take the roles of two or more constituentelements out of the plurality of constituent elements of decoder 200illustrated in FIG. 41 , etc.

Memory 262 is dedicated or general memory for storing information thatis used by circuitry 260 to decode an image. Memory 262 may beelectronic circuitry, and may be connected to circuitry 260. Inaddition, memory 262 may be included in circuitry 260. In addition,memory 262 may be an aggregate of a plurality of electronic circuits. Inaddition, memory 262 may be a magnetic disc, an optical disc, or thelike, or may be represented as a storage, a recording medium, or thelike. In addition, memory 262 may be a non-volatile memory, or avolatile memory.

For example, memory 262 may store a bitstream corresponding to anencoded image, or an image corresponding to a decoded bitstream. Inaddition, memory 262 may store a program for causing circuitry 260 todecode an image.

In addition, for example, memory 262 may take the roles of two or moreconstituent elements for storing information out of the plurality ofconstituent elements of decoder 200 illustrated in FIG. 41 , etc.Specifically, memory 262 may take the roles of block memory 210 andframe memory 214 illustrated in FIG. 41 . More specifically, memory 262may store a reconstructed block, a reconstructed picture, etc.

It is to be noted that, in decoder 200, all of the plurality ofconstituent elements illustrated in FIG. 41 , etc. may not beimplemented, and all the processes described above may not be performed.Part of the constituent elements indicated in FIG. 41 , etc. may beincluded in another device, or part of the processes described above maybe performed by another device. In decoder 200, the motion compensationis efficiently performed by implementing part of the constituentelements indicated in FIG. 41 etc. and performing part of the processesdescribed above.

The following describes an operation example of decoder 200 shown byFIG. 56 . FIG. 57 is a flow chart illustrating an operation example ofdecoder 200 shown by FIG. 56 . For example, when decoding an image,decoder 200 shown by FIG. 56 performs the operation shown by FIG. 56 .

Specifically, in operation, circuitry 260 of decoder 200 performs thefollowing process. In other words, first, circuitry 260 derives a motionvector of a current block by referring to at least one reference picturedifferent from a picture to which the current block belongs, andperforms a mode for estimating, for each sub-block unit of sub-blocksobtained by splitting the current block, a surrounding region of themotion vector to correct the motion vector (S411). Next, circuitry 260determines whether to apply deblocking filtering to each of boundariesbetween neighboring ones of the sub-blocks (S412). Finally, circuitry260 applies the deblocking filtering to the boundary, based on a resultof the determination (S413).

As stated above, even when distortion that causes discontinuous pixelvalues occurs on a sub-block boundary, decoder 200 has the possibilityof reducing the distortion by performing the deblocking filtering, andhas the possibility of improving image quality.

[Supplementary]

Moreover, encoder 100 and decoder 200 according to the presentembodiment may be used as an image encoder and an image decoder, or maybe used as a video encoder and a video decoder, respectively.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, each component may be configured bya dedicated hardware, or may be implemented by executing a softwareprogram suitable for each component. Each component may be implementedby causing a program executer such as a CPU or a processor to read outand execute a software program stored on a recording medium such as ahard disk or a semiconductor memory.

In particular, encoder 100 and decoder 200 may each include processingcircuitry and a storage which is electrically connected to theprocessing circuitry and is accessible from the processing circuitry.For example, the processing circuitry corresponds to circuitry 160 or260, and the storage corresponds to memory 162 or 262.

The processing circuitry includes at least one of a dedicated hardwareand a program executer, and performs processing using the storage.Moreover, when the processing circuitry includes the program executer,the storage stores a software program to be executed by the programexecuter.

Here, a software for implementing encoder 100, decoder 200, etc.,according to the present embodiment is a program as follows.

To put it another way, this program may cause a computer to perform anencoding method of encoding an image, the encoding method including:deriving a motion vector of a current block by referring to at least onereference picture different from a picture to which the current blockbelongs; performing a mode for estimating, for each sub-block unit ofsub-blocks obtained by splitting the current block, a surrounding regionof the motion vector to correct the motion vector; determining whetherto apply deblocking filtering to each of boundaries between neighboringones of the sub-blocks; and applying the deblocking filtering to theboundary, based on a result of the determination.

Alternatively, the program may cause a computer to perform a decodingmethod of decoding an image, the decoding method including: deriving amotion vector of a current block by referring to at least one referencepicture different from a picture to which the current block belongs;performing a mode for estimating, for each sub-block unit of sub-blocksobtained by splitting the current block, a surrounding region of themotion vector to correct the motion vector; determining whether to applydeblocking filtering to each of boundaries between neighboring ones ofthe sub-blocks; and applying the deblocking filtering to the boundary,based on a result of the determination.

Moreover, as described above, each component may be a circuit. Thecircuits may be integrated into a single circuit as a whole, or may beseparated from each other. Moreover, each component may be implementedas a general-purpose processor, or as a dedicated processor.

Moreover, a process performed by a specific component may be performedby another component. Moreover, the order of processes may be changed,or multiple processes may be performed in parallel. Moreover, a codingdevice may include encoder 100 and decoder 200.

The ordinal numbers used in the illustration such as first and secondmay be renumbered as needed. Moreover, the ordinal number may be newlyassigned to a component, etc., or may be deleted from a component, etc.

As described above, the aspects of encoder 100 and decoder 200 have beendescribed based on the embodiment, but the aspects of encoder 100 anddecoder 200 are not limited to this embodiment. Various modifications tothe embodiment that can be conceived by those skilled in the art, andforms configured by combining components in different embodimentswithout departing from the spirit of the present invention may beincluded in the scope of the aspects of encoder 100 and decoder 200.

One or more of the aspects disclosed herein may be performed bycombining at least part of the other aspects in the present disclosure.In addition, one or more of the aspects disclosed herein may beperformed by combining, with other aspects, part of the processesindicated in any of the flow charts according to the aspects, part ofthe configuration of any of the devices, part of syntaxes, etc.

As described in each of the above embodiments, each functional oroperational block may typically be realized as an MPU (micro processingunit) and memory, for example. Moreover, processes performed by each ofthe functional blocks may be realized as a program execution unit, suchas a processor which reads and executes software (a program) recorded ona recording medium such as ROM. The software may be distributed. Thesoftware may be recorded on a variety of recording media such assemiconductor memory. Note that each functional block can also berealized as hardware (dedicated circuit). Various combinations ofhardware and software may be employed.

The processing described in each of the embodiments may be realized viaintegrated processing using a single apparatus (system), and,alternatively, may be realized via decentralized processing using aplurality of apparatuses. Moreover, the processor that executes theabove-described program may be a single processor or a plurality ofprocessors. In other words, integrated processing may be performed, and,alternatively, decentralized processing may be performed.

The aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the aboveexemplary embodiment; various modifications may be made to the exemplaryembodiment, and the results of which are also included within the scopeof the aspects of the present disclosure.

Next, application examples of the moving picture encoding method (imageencoding method) and the moving picture decoding method (image decodingmethod) described in each of the above embodiments will be described, aswell as various systems that implement the application examples. Such asystem may be characterized as including an image encoder that employsthe image encoding method, an image decoder that employs the imagedecoding method, or an image encoder-decoder that includes both theimage encoder and the image decoder. Other configurations of such asystem may be modified on a case-by-case basis.

Usage Examples

FIG. 58 illustrates an overall configuration of content providing systemex100 suitable for implementing a content distribution service. The areain which the communication service is provided is divided into cells ofdesired sizes, and base stations ex106, ex107, ex108, ex109, and ex110,which are fixed wireless stations in the illustrated example, arelocated in respective cells.

In content providing system ex100, devices including computer ex111,gaming device ex112, camera ex113, home appliance ex114, and smartphoneex115 are connected to internet ex101 via internet service providerex102 or communications network ex104 and base stations ex106 throughex110. Content providing system ex100 may combine and connect anycombination of the above devices. In various implementations, thedevices may be directly or indirectly connected together via a telephonenetwork or near field communication, rather than via base stations ex106through ex110. Further, streaming server ex103 may be connected todevices including computer ex111, gaming device ex112, camera ex113,home appliance ex114, and smartphone ex115 via, for example, internetex101. Streaming server ex103 may also be connected to, for example, aterminal in a hotspot in airplane ex117 via satellite ex116.

Note that instead of base stations ex106 through ex110, wireless accesspoints or hotspots may be used. Streaming server ex103 may be connectedto communications network ex104 directly instead of via internet ex101or internet service provider ex102, and may be connected to airplaneex117 directly instead of via satellite ex116.

Camera ex113 is a device capable of capturing still images and video,such as a digital camera. Smartphone ex115 is a smartphone device,cellular phone, or personal handy-phone system (PHS) phone that canoperate under the mobile communications system standards of the 2G, 3G,3.9G, and 4G systems, as well as the next-generation 5G system.

Home appliance ex114 is, for example, a refrigerator or a deviceincluded in a home fuel cell cogeneration system.

In content providing system ex100, a terminal including an image and/orvideo capturing function is capable of, for example, live streaming byconnecting to streaming server ex103 via, for example, base stationex106. When live streaming, a terminal (e.g., computer ex111, gamingdevice ex112, camera ex113, home appliance ex114, smartphone ex115, or aterminal in airplane ex117) may perform the encoding processingdescribed in the above embodiments on still-image or video contentcaptured by a user via the terminal, may multiplex video data obtainedvia the encoding and audio data obtained by encoding audio correspondingto the video, and may transmit the obtained data to streaming serverex103. In other words, the terminal functions as the image encoderaccording to one aspect of the present disclosure.

Streaming server ex103 streams transmitted content data to clients thatrequest the stream. Client examples include computer ex111, gamingdevice ex112, camera ex113, home appliance ex114, smartphone ex115, andterminals inside airplane ex117, which are capable of decoding theabove-described encoded data. Devices that receive the streamed data maydecode and reproduce the received data. In other words, the devices mayeach function as the image decoder, according to one aspect of thepresent disclosure.

[Decentralized Processing]

Streaming server ex103 may be realized as a plurality of servers orcomputers between which tasks such as the processing, recording, andstreaming of data are divided. For example, streaming server ex103 maybe realized as a content delivery network (CDN) that streams content viaa network connecting multiple edge servers located throughout the world.In a CDN, an edge server physically near the client may be dynamicallyassigned to the client. Content is cached and streamed to the edgeserver to reduce load times. In the event of, for example, some type oferror or change in connectivity due, for example, to a spike in traffic,it is possible to stream data stably at high speeds, since it ispossible to avoid affected parts of the network by, for example,dividing the processing between a plurality of edge servers, orswitching the streaming duties to a different edge server and continuingstreaming.

Decentralization is not limited to just the division of processing forstreaming; the encoding of the captured data may be divided between andperformed by the terminals, on the server side, or both. In one example,in typical encoding, the processing is performed in two loops. The firstloop is for detecting how complicated the image is on a frame-by-frameor scene-by-scene basis, or detecting the encoding load. The second loopis for processing that maintains image quality and improves encodingefficiency. For example, it is possible to reduce the processing load ofthe terminals and improve the quality and encoding efficiency of thecontent by having the terminals perform the first loop of the encodingand having the server side that received the content perform the secondloop of the encoding. In such a case, upon receipt of a decodingrequest, it is possible for the encoded data resulting from the firstloop performed by one terminal to be received and reproduced on anotherterminal in approximately real time. This makes it possible to realizesmooth, real-time streaming.

In another example, camera ex113 or the like extracts a feature amount(an amount of features or characteristics) from an image, compressesdata related to the feature amount as metadata, and transmits thecompressed metadata to a server. For example, the server determines thesignificance of an object based on the feature amount and changes thequantization accuracy accordingly to perform compression suitable forthe meaning (or content significance) of the image. Feature amount datais particularly effective in improving the precision and efficiency ofmotion vector prediction during the second compression pass performed bythe server. Moreover, encoding that has a relatively low processingload, such as variable length coding (VLC), may be handled by theterminal, and encoding that has a relatively high processing load, suchas context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC), may be handled bythe server.

In yet another example, there are instances in which a plurality ofvideos of approximately the same scene are captured by a plurality ofterminals in, for example, a stadium, shopping mall, or factory. In sucha case, for example, the encoding may be decentralized by dividingprocessing tasks between the plurality of terminals that captured thevideos and, if necessary, other terminals that did not capture thevideos, and the server, on a per-unit basis. The units may be, forexample, groups of pictures (GOP), pictures, or tiles resulting fromdividing a picture. This makes it possible to reduce load times andachieve streaming that is closer to real time.

Since the videos are of approximately the same scene, management and/orinstructions may be carried out by the server so that the videoscaptured by the terminals can be cross-referenced. Moreover, the servermay receive encoded data from the terminals, change the referencerelationship between items of data, or correct or replace picturesthemselves, and then perform the encoding. This makes it possible togenerate a stream with increased quality and efficiency for theindividual items of data.

Furthermore, the server may stream video data after performingtranscoding to convert the encoding format of the video data. Forexample, the server may convert the encoding format from MPEG to VP(e.g., VP9), may convert H.264 to H.265, etc.

In this way, encoding can be performed by a terminal or one or moreservers. Accordingly, although the device that performs the encoding isreferred to as a “server” or “terminal” in the following description,some or all of the processes performed by the server may be performed bythe terminal, and likewise some or all of the processes performed by theterminal may be performed by the server. This also applies to decodingprocesses.

[3D, Multi-Angle]

There has been an increase in usage of images or videos combined fromimages or videos of different scenes concurrently captured, or of thesame scene captured from different angles, by a plurality of terminalssuch as camera ex113 and/or smartphone ex115. Videos captured by theterminals may be combined based on, for example, the separately obtainedrelative positional relationship between the terminals, or regions in avideo having matching feature points.

In addition to the encoding of two-dimensional moving pictures, theserver may encode a still image based on scene analysis of a movingpicture, either automatically or at a point in time specified by theuser, and transmit the encoded still image to a reception terminal.Furthermore, when the server can obtain the relative positionalrelationship between the video capturing terminals, in addition totwo-dimensional moving pictures, the server can generatethree-dimensional geometry of a scene based on video of the same scenecaptured from different angles. The server may separately encodethree-dimensional data generated from, for example, a point cloud and,based on a result of recognizing or tracking a person or object usingthree-dimensional data, may select or reconstruct and generate a videoto be transmitted to a reception terminal, from videos captured by aplurality of terminals.

This allows the user to enjoy a scene by freely selecting videoscorresponding to the video capturing terminals, and allows the user toenjoy the content obtained by extracting a video at a selected viewpointfrom three-dimensional data reconstructed from a plurality of images orvideos. Furthermore, as with video, sound may be recorded fromrelatively different angles, and the server may multiplex audio from aspecific angle or space with the corresponding video, and transmit themultiplexed video and audio.

In recent years, content that is a composite of the real world and avirtual world, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)content, has also become popular. In the case of VR images, the servermay create images from the viewpoints of both the left and right eyes,and perform encoding that tolerates reference between the two viewpointimages, such as multi-view coding (MVC), and, alternatively, may encodethe images as separate streams without referencing. When the images aredecoded as separate streams, the streams may be synchronized whenreproduced, so as to recreate a virtual three-dimensional space inaccordance with the viewpoint of the user.

In the case of AR images, the server may superimpose virtual objectinformation existing in a virtual space onto camera informationrepresenting a real-world space, based on a three-dimensional positionor movement from the perspective of the user. The decoder may obtain orstore virtual object information and three-dimensional data, generatetwo-dimensional images based on movement from the perspective of theuser, and then generate superimposed data by seamlessly connecting theimages. Alternatively, the decoder may transmit, to the server, motionfrom the perspective of the user in addition to a request for virtualobject information. The server may generate superimposed data based onthree-dimensional data stored in the server in accordance with thereceived motion, and encode and stream the generated superimposed datato the decoder. Note that superimposed data typically includes, inaddition to RGB values, an a value indicating transparency, and theserver sets the a value for sections other than the object generatedfrom three-dimensional data to, for example, 0, and may perform theencoding while those sections are transparent. Alternatively, the servermay set the background to a determined RGB value, such as a chroma key,and generate data in which areas other than the object are set as thebackground. The determined RGB value may be predetermined.

Decoding of similarly streamed data may be performed by the client(e.g., the terminals), on the server side, or divided therebetween. Inone example, one terminal may transmit a reception request to a server,the requested content may be received and decoded by another terminal,and a decoded signal may be transmitted to a device having a display. Itis possible to reproduce high image quality data by decentralizingprocessing and appropriately selecting content regardless of theprocessing ability of the communications terminal itself. In yet anotherexample, while a TV, for example, is receiving image data that is largein size, a region of a picture, such as a tile obtained by dividing thepicture, may be decoded and displayed on a personal terminal orterminals of a viewer or viewers of the TV. This makes it possible forthe viewers to share a big-picture view as well as for each viewer tocheck his or her assigned area, or inspect a region in further detail upclose.

In situations in which a plurality of wireless connections are possibleover near, mid, and far distances, indoors or outdoors, it may bepossible to seamlessly receive content using a streaming system standardsuch as MPEG Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (MPEG-DASH). The usermay switch between data in real time while freely selecting a decoder ordisplay apparatus including the user's terminal, displays arrangedindoors or outdoors, etc. Moreover, using, for example, information onthe position of the user, decoding can be performed while switchingwhich terminal handles decoding and which terminal handles thedisplaying of content. This makes it possible to map and displayinformation, while the user is on the move in route to a destination, onthe wall of a nearby building in which a device capable of displayingcontent is embedded, or on part of the ground. Moreover, it is alsopossible to switch the bit rate of the received data based on theaccessibility to the encoded data on a network, such as when encodeddata is cached on a server quickly accessible from the receptionterminal, or when encoded data is copied to an edge server in a contentdelivery service.

[Scalable Encoding]

The switching of content will be described with reference to a scalablestream, illustrated in FIG. 59 , which is compression coded viaimplementation of the moving picture encoding method described in theabove embodiments. The server may have a configuration in which contentis switched while making use of the temporal and/or spatial scalabilityof a stream, which is achieved by division into and encoding of layers,as illustrated in FIG. 59 . Note that there may be a plurality ofindividual streams that are of the same content but different quality.In other words, by determining which layer to decode based on internalfactors, such as the processing ability on the decoder side, andexternal factors, such as communication bandwidth, the decoder side canfreely switch between low resolution content and high resolution contentwhile decoding. For example, in a case in which the user wants tocontinue watching, for example at home on a device such as a TVconnected to the internet, a video that the user had been previouslywatching on smartphone ex115 while on the move, the device can simplydecode the same stream up to a different layer, which reduces the serverside load.

Furthermore, in addition to the configuration described above, in whichscalability is achieved as a result of the pictures being encoded perlayer, with the enhancement layer being above the base layer, theenhancement layer may include metadata based on, for example,statistical information on the image. The decoder side may generate highimage quality content by performing super-resolution imaging on apicture in the base layer based on the metadata. Super-resolutionimaging may improve the Signal-to-Noise (SN) ratio while maintainingresolution and/or increasing resolution. Metadata includes informationfor identifying a linear or a non-linear filter coefficient, as used insuper-resolution processing, or information identifying a parametervalue in filter processing, machine learning, or a least squares methodused in super-resolution processing.

Alternatively, a configuration may be provided in which a picture isdivided into, for example, tiles in accordance with, for example, themeaning of an object in the image. On the decoder side, only a partialregion is decoded by selecting a tile to decode. Further, by storing anattribute of the object (person, car, ball, etc.) and a position of theobject in the video (coordinates in identical images) as metadata, thedecoder side can identify the position of a desired object based on themetadata and determine which tile or tiles include that object. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 60 , metadata may be stored using a datastorage structure different from pixel data, such as an SEI(supplemental enhancement information) message in HEVC. This metadataindicates, for example, the position, size, or color of the main object.

Metadata may be stored in units of a plurality of pictures, such asstream, sequence, or random access units. The decoder side can obtain,for example, the time at which a specific person appears in the video,and by fitting the time information with picture unit information, canidentify a picture in which the object is present, and can determine theposition of the object in the picture.

[Web Page Optimization]

FIG. 61 illustrates an example of a display screen of a web page oncomputer ex111, for example. FIG. 62 illustrates an example of a displayscreen of a web page on smartphone ex115, for example. As illustrated inFIG. 61 and FIG. 62 , a web page may include a plurality of image linksthat are links to image content, and the appearance of the web page maydiffer depending on the device used to view the web page. When aplurality of image links are viewable on the screen, until the userexplicitly selects an image link, or until the image link is in theapproximate center of the screen or the entire image link fits in thescreen, the display apparatus (decoder) may display, as the image links,still images included in the content or I pictures; may display videosuch as an animated gif using a plurality of still images or I pictures;or may receive only the base layer, and decode and display the video.

When an image link is selected by the user, the display apparatusperforms decoding while, for example, giving the highest priority to thebase layer. Note that if there is information in the Hyper Text MarkupLanguage (HTML) code of the web page indicating that the content isscalable, the display apparatus may decode up to the enhancement layer.Further, in order to guarantee real-time reproduction, before aselection is made or when the bandwidth is severely limited, the displayapparatus can reduce delay between the point in time at which theleading picture is decoded and the point in time at which the decodedpicture is displayed (that is, the delay between the start of thedecoding of the content to the displaying of the content) by decodingand displaying only forward reference pictures (I picture, P picture,forward reference B picture). Still further, the display apparatus maypurposely ignore the reference relationship between pictures, andcoarsely decode all B and P pictures as forward reference pictures, andthen perform normal decoding as the number of pictures received overtime increases.

[Autonomous Driving]

When transmitting and receiving still image or video data such as two-or three-dimensional map information for autonomous driving or assisteddriving of an automobile, the reception terminal may receive, inaddition to image data belonging to one or more layers, information on,for example, the weather or road construction as metadata, and associatethe metadata with the image data upon decoding. Note that metadata maybe assigned per layer and, alternatively, may simply be multiplexed withthe image data.

In such a case, since the automobile, drone, airplane, etc., containingthe reception terminal is mobile, the reception terminal may seamlesslyreceive and perform decoding while switching between base stations amongbase stations ex106 through ex110 by transmitting information indicatingthe position of the reception terminal. Moreover, in accordance with theselection made by the user, the situation of the user, and/or thebandwidth of the connection, the reception terminal may dynamicallyselect to what extent the metadata is received, or to what extent themap information, for example, is updated.

In content providing system ex100, the client may receive, decode, andreproduce, in real time, encoded information transmitted by the user.

[Streaming of Individual Content]

In content providing system ex100, in addition to high image quality,long content distributed by a video distribution entity, unicast ormulticast streaming of low image quality, and short content from anindividual are also possible. Such content from individuals is likely tofurther increase in popularity. The server may first perform editingprocessing on the content before the encoding processing, in order torefine the individual content. This may be achieved using the followingconfiguration, for example.

In real time while capturing video or image content, or after thecontent has been captured and accumulated, the server performsrecognition processing based on the raw data or encoded data, such ascapture error processing, scene search processing, meaning analysis,and/or object detection processing. Then, based on the result of therecognition processing, the server—either when prompted orautomatically—edits the content, examples of which include: correctionsuch as focus and/or motion blur correction; removing low-priorityscenes such as scenes that are low in brightness compared to otherpictures, or out of focus; object edge adjustment; and color toneadjustment. The server encodes the edited data based on the result ofthe editing. It is known that excessively long videos tend to receivefewer views. Accordingly, in order to keep the content within a specificlength that scales with the length of the original video, the servermay, in addition to the low-priority scenes described above,automatically clip out scenes with low movement, based on an imageprocessing result. Alternatively, the server may generate and encode avideo digest based on a result of an analysis of the meaning of a scene.

There may be instances in which individual content may include contentthat infringes a copyright, moral right, portrait rights, etc. Suchinstance may lead to an unfavorable situation for the creator, such aswhen content is shared beyond the scope intended by the creator.Accordingly, before encoding, the server may, for example, edit imagesso as to blur faces of people in the periphery of the screen or blur theinside of a house, for example. Further, the server may be configured torecognize the faces of people other than a registered person in imagesto be encoded, and when such faces appear in an image, may apply amosaic filter, for example, to the face of the person. Alternatively, aspre- or post-processing for encoding, the user may specify, forcopyright reasons, a region of an image including a person or a regionof the background to be processed. The server may process the specifiedregion by, for example, replacing the region with a different image, orblurring the region. If the region includes a person, the person may betracked in the moving picture, and the person's head region may bereplaced with another image as the person moves.

Since there is a demand for real-time viewing of content produced byindividuals, which tends to be small in data size, the decoder may firstreceive the base layer as the highest priority, and perform decoding andreproduction, although this may differ depending on bandwidth. When thecontent is reproduced two or more times, such as when the decoderreceives the enhancement layer during decoding and reproduction of thebase layer, and loops the reproduction, the decoder may reproduce a highimage quality video including the enhancement layer. If the stream isencoded using such scalable encoding, the video may be low quality whenin an unselected state or at the start of the video, but it can offer anexperience in which the image quality of the stream progressivelyincreases in an intelligent manner. This is not limited to just scalableencoding; the same experience can be offered by configuring a singlestream from a low quality stream reproduced for the first time and asecond stream encoded using the first stream as a reference.

Other Implementation and Application Examples

The encoding and decoding may be performed by LSI (large scaleintegration circuitry) ex500 (see FIG. 58 ), which is typically includedin each terminal. LSI ex500 may be configured of a single chip or aplurality of chips. Software for encoding and decoding moving picturesmay be integrated into some type of a recording medium (such as aCD-ROM, a flexible disk, or a hard disk) that is readable by, forexample, computer ex111, and the encoding and decoding may be performedusing the software. Furthermore, when smartphone ex115 is equipped witha camera, the video data obtained by the camera may be transmitted. Inthis case, the video data may be coded by LSI ex500 included insmartphone ex115.

Note that LSI ex500 may be configured to download and activate anapplication. In such a case, the terminal first determines whether it iscompatible with the scheme used to encode the content, or whether it iscapable of executing a specific service. When the terminal is notcompatible with the encoding scheme of the content, or when the terminalis not capable of executing a specific service, the terminal may firstdownload a codec or application software and then obtain and reproducethe content.

Aside from the example of content providing system ex100 that usesinternet ex101, at least the moving picture encoder (image encoder) orthe moving picture decoder (image decoder) described in the aboveembodiments may be implemented in a digital broadcasting system. Thesame encoding processing and decoding processing may be applied totransmit and receive broadcast radio waves superimposed with multiplexedaudio and video data using, for example, a satellite, even though thisis geared toward multicast, whereas unicast is easier with contentproviding system ex100.

[Hardware Configuration]

FIG. 63 illustrates further details of smartphone ex115 shown in FIG. 58. FIG. 64 illustrates a configuration example of smartphone ex115.Smartphone ex115 includes antenna ex450 for transmitting and receivingradio waves to and from base station ex110, camera ex465 capable ofcapturing video and still images, and display ex458 that displaysdecoded data, such as video captured by camera ex465 and video receivedby antenna ex450. Smartphone ex115 further includes user interface ex466such as a touch panel, audio output unit ex457 such as a speaker foroutputting speech or other audio, audio input unit ex456 such as amicrophone for audio input, memory ex467 capable of storing decoded datasuch as captured video or still images, recorded audio, received videoor still images, and mail, as well as decoded data, and slot ex464 whichis an interface for Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) ex468 forauthorizing access to a network and various data. Note that externalmemory may be used instead of memory ex467.

Main controller ex460, which may comprehensively control display ex458and user interface ex466, power supply circuit ex461, user interfaceinput controller ex462, video signal processor ex455, camera interfaceex463, display controller ex459, modulator/demodulator ex452,multiplexer/demultiplexer ex453, audio signal processor ex454, slotex464, and memory ex467 are connected via bus ex470.

When the user turns on the power button of power supply circuit ex461,smartphone ex115 is powered on into an operable state, and eachcomponent is supplied with power from a battery pack.

Smartphone ex115 performs processing for, for example, calling and datatransmission, based on control performed by main controller ex460, whichincludes a CPU, ROM, and RAM. When making calls, an audio signalrecorded by audio input unit ex456 is converted into a digital audiosignal by audio signal processor ex454, to which spread spectrumprocessing is applied by modulator/demodulator ex452 and digital-analogconversion, and frequency conversion processing is applied bytransmitter/receiver ex451, and the resulting signal is transmitted viaantenna ex450. The received data is amplified, frequency converted, andanalog-digital converted, inverse spread spectrum processed bymodulator/demodulator ex452, converted into an analog audio signal byaudio signal processor ex454, and then output from audio output unitex457. In data transmission mode, text, still-image, or video data maybe transmitted under control of main controller ex460 via user interfaceinput controller ex462 based on operation of user interface ex466 of themain body, for example. Similar transmission and reception processing isperformed. In data transmission mode, when sending a video, still image,or video and audio, video signal processor ex455 compression encodes,via the moving picture encoding method described in the aboveembodiments, a video signal stored in memory ex467 or a video signalinput from camera ex465, and transmits the encoded video data tomultiplexer/demultiplexer ex453. Audio signal processor ex454 encodes anaudio signal recorded by audio input unit ex456 while camera ex465 iscapturing a video or still image, and transmits the encoded audio datato multiplexer/demultiplexer ex453. Multiplexer/demultiplexer ex453multiplexes the encoded video data and encoded audio data using adetermined scheme, modulates and converts the data usingmodulator/demodulator (modulator/demodulator circuit) ex452 andtransmitter/receiver ex451, and transmits the result via antenna ex450.The determined scheme may be predetermined.

When video appended in an email or a chat, or a video linked from a webpage, is received, for example, in order to decode the multiplexed datareceived via antenna ex450, multiplexer/demultiplexer ex453demultiplexes the multiplexed data to divide the multiplexed data into abitstream of video data and a bitstream of audio data, supplies theencoded video data to video signal processor ex455 via synchronous busex470, and supplies the encoded audio data to audio signal processorex454 via synchronous bus ex470. Video signal processor ex455 decodesthe video signal using a moving picture decoding method corresponding tothe moving picture encoding method described in the above embodiments,and video or a still image included in the linked moving picture file isdisplayed on display ex458 via display controller ex459. Audio signalprocessor ex454 decodes the audio signal and outputs audio from audiooutput unit ex457. Since real-time streaming is becoming increasinglypopular, there may be instances in which reproduction of the audio maybe socially inappropriate, depending on the user's environment.Accordingly, as an initial value, a configuration in which only videodata is reproduced, i.e., the audio signal is not reproduced, may bepreferable; audio may be synchronized and reproduced only when an input,such as when the user clicks video data, is received.

Although smartphone ex115 was used in the above example, otherimplementations are conceivable: a transceiver terminal including bothan encoder and a decoder; a transmitter terminal including only anencoder; and a receiver terminal including only a decoder. In thedescription of the digital broadcasting system, an example is given inwhich multiplexed data obtained as a result of video data beingmultiplexed with audio data is received or transmitted. The multiplexeddata, however, may be video data multiplexed with data other than audiodata, such as text data related to the video. Further, the video dataitself rather than multiplexed data may be received or transmitted.

Although main controller ex460 including a CPU is described ascontrolling the encoding or decoding processes, various terminals ofteninclude Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). Accordingly, a configurationis acceptable in which a large area is processed at once by making useof the performance ability of the GPU via memory shared by the CPU andGPU, or memory including an address that is managed so as to allowcommon usage by the CPU and GPU. This makes it possible to shortenencoding time, maintain the real-time nature of the stream, and reducedelay. In particular, processing relating to motion estimation,deblocking filtering, sample adaptive offset (SAO), andtransformation/quantization can be effectively carried out by the GPUinstead of the CPU in units of pictures, for example, all at once.

Although only some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure havebeen described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplaryembodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure is applicable to, for example, televisionreceivers, digital video recorders, car navigation systems, mobilephones, digital cameras, digital video cameras, teleconferencingsystems, electronic mirrors, etc.

What is claimed is:
 1. An encoder that encodes an image, the encodercomprising: circuitry; and memory coupled to the circuitry, wherein inoperation, the circuitry: derives a motion vector of a current block ona block-by-block basis; performs a Dynamic Motion Vector Refreshing(DMVR) process for each of sub-blocks of the current block on asub-block-by-sub-block basis, by searching in a vicinity of a positionspecified by the motion vector to correct the motion vector, thesub-blocks being included in the current block; determines whether toapply deblocking filtering to each of sub-block boundaries betweenneighboring ones of the sub-blocks upon which the DMVR process isperformed; and applies the deblocking filtering to the sub-blockboundaries, based on a result of the determination.
 2. A decoder thatdecodes an image, the decoder comprising: circuitry; and memory coupledto the circuitry, wherein in operation, the circuitry: derives a motionvector of a current block on a block-by-block basis; performs a DynamicMotion Vector Refreshing (DMVR) process for each of sub-blocks of thecurrent block on a sub-block-by-sub-block basis, by searching in avicinity of a position specified by the motion vector to correct themotion vector, the sub-blocks being included in the current block;determines whether to apply deblocking filtering to each of sub-blockboundaries between neighboring ones of the sub-blocks upon which theDMVR process is performed; and applies the deblocking filtering to thesub-block boundaries, based on a result of the determination.